The Cleveland Cavaliers recently suspended centre Andrew Bynum for “conduct detrimental to the team”. While the team hasn’t stated exactly what it was that Bynum has done they did release the following statement.
“Cavaliers center Andrew Bynum has been suspended for conduct detrimental to the team, Cavaliers General Manager Chris Grant announced today. Bynum did not travel with the team to Boston last night for the team’s game this afternoon at 1:00 p.m. vs. the Celtics and has been excused from all team activities indefinitely. His status will be updated as appropriate.”
The team docked Bynum one-game cheque worth about $111,000. While his unpaid suspension is now over, he is still being asked to stay away from the team with what the Cavaliers are calling “paid leave” at this time.
Now what makes the Bynum situation unique is the nature of the free-agent contract he signed with the Cavaliers this past summer. The deal is for two-years and $25 million. However the deal only guarantees Bynum $6 million of that $25 million if the Cavaliers cut him before January 6th, 2014. While reports indicate that the team is looking to trade Bynum, with time ticking towards that January 7th deadline, and a $19 million commitment hanging in the balance, it is likely that the Cavaliers will waive and then release Bynum next week.
Bynum, who missed all of last season after having surgery on both knees, has shown some flashes of the dominant big man he was with the Los Angeles Lakers prior to the injuries. However, those flashes have come few and far between. Through 24 games with the Cavaliers, Bynum is averaging 8.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game.
It will be interesting to see if there is another team out there willing to give the 26-year-old former NBA All-star another chance, once he is inevitably let go by Cleveland.
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