Via Yahoo basketball insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Cavs have made a two-year, $24 million contract offer to Andrew Bynum. He's the high-risk, high-reward big man who played not one minute last year with the Philadelphia 76ers due to chronic knee injuries (including one sustained whilst bowling).
The second year of the Cavs' contract would be a team option, which ought to be attractive to both parties. Twelve mil seems like a significant chunk of change, but with Bynum's pedigree and upside, it's a worthwhile gamble to take. (He's infinitely more proven than Greg Oden, for instance).
Nevertheless, he's a medical question mark. Via Woj:
Every team with an interest in Bynum is reluctant to commit significant guaranteed money — never mind long-term years — on a player whom even the most generous of medical opinions consider anything but a significant risk to miss more games this season and beyond.
Yay! Fortuantely, with a rejuventated front court — Tristan Thompson, a healthy Varejao, Tyler Zeller, No. 1 overall pick Anthony Bennett — even if Bynum missed stretches of the season, the Cavs wouldn't wear too thin.
Whether or not this is part of a recruiting strategy to lure back LeBron James in the 2014 offseason is irrelevant — it's a fool's errand and not worth discussing. The fact is Bynum claims he's ready to play and he'd be a stud in the low-post. He's make us better this year.
The Cavs quickly made Bynum their offer and want an answer soon. They intend to pursue the likes of Andrei Kirilenko and/or Elton Brand, should Bynum seek more glamorous pastures.
The 25-year-old center is scheduled to meet with the Hawks for lunch in Atlanta and will announce his decision tonight.
