Andrew Bynum’s NBA career clouded by mystery; Where is he now?
LOS ANGELES (BVM) – As free agency begins for the NBA, teams will debate how much they should invest into the top players that hit the market. Looking back on some of the players that took advantage of their big paydays, former Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum comes to mind.
Andrew Bynum’s NBA career
Going back to the 2008 season, the Lakers made it a priority to sign their young, blossoming center to a long-term deal. After breaking out in just 35 games the prior season, Bynum looked to be turning into a key player during the team’s yearly title run before dislocating his kneecap.
A four-year, $57 million contract extension would set up Bynum to return for his fourth season where the team had hoped he would build off of his first dominant season. The injuries unfortunately would return for Bynum as he battled through a torn MCL during the 2008-09 season. His gritty effort to play through the injury would help the Lakers outlast Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals.
After rehabbing his MCL tear, Bynum would log 65 games during the 2009-10 regular season. The Lakers center’s injury history would return, this time with a hyperextension in Los Angeles’ first-round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Once again, Bynum would continue to be a difference maker while playing through the injury, helping the Lakers to their second straight title run.
Question marks surrounded Bynum after the series, as the L.A. big man waited until after his vacation to have surgery on a torn meniscus following the 2009-10 campaign. The surgery would push his recovery time into the team’s upcoming season.
As Bynum recovered, he would make his return to action in December of 2010, before enjoying a streak of all-star caliber play following the break. His performance would come to an impasse during the Lakers’ playoff series against Dallas, when Bynum committed a hard foul on J.J. Barea during the final quarter of Game 4, that was deemed excessive.
With incidents in back-to-back seasons, questions surrounded Bynum entering the 2011-12 year. He, however, would enjoy his most successful season playing 60 games, while averaging 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds. His in-game issues with then-head coach Mike Brown would come to a breaking point during the 2012 offseason, as Bynum was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in the four-team deal that brought Howard to Los Angeles.
Bynum never played for the 76ers after a barrage of injuries in his first season and was sent to the Cleveland Cavaliers following the year. Playing in just 24 games for the Cavaliers, Bynum would be traded to the Chicago Bulls in a salary dump acquisition, quickly finding himself on the free agency list shortly after. The former all-star center would wind up in Indiana for his final days in the NBA, appearing in just two games.
Andrew Bynum before the NBA
Bynum was part of the last draft class to allow high school prospects to come directly to the league. At St. Joseph High School, in Metuchen, New Jersey, Bynum would become one of the top players in the country, averaging 16 points, 13 rebounds, and six blocks. As a senior, the New Jersey big man averaged 22.4 points, 16.8 rebounds and 5.3 blocks per game.
His star-studded prep career landed him in the McDonald’s All-American Game, where scouts would get another look at the incoming prospect. Planning to attend the University of Connecticut, the then 17-year-old decided against the collegiate route, making himself eligible for the 2005 NBA Draft. Bynum was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the 10th overall selection.
Bynum’s post-NBA career
The former Lakers big man has taken a quiet approach to retirement but has been spotted at different events over the past decade. Back in 2016, Bynum was spotted in attendance during the Cavaliers’ NBA Finals series against Golden State.
Why is Andrew Bynum at Game 4? He said he's been driving cross country and stopped off in Cleveland for the game. https://t.co/hVPsLNcYPp
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 11, 2016
Back in 2018, Bynum worked with NBA trainer Chris Johnson, as many wondered if he was making a return to action.
Andrew Bynum trying to make a comeback 👀(via @ChrisJHoops) pic.twitter.com/AzuwP8OeMR
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 9, 2018
Despite not making an official return, Bynum still accrued over $70 million during his time in the NBA. With buyer beware around this time of the year, it’s tough to see Bynum’s big extension as a disappointment for the Lakers following his two championship titles.
