People don't realize just how much the Andrew Bynum trade messed up the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Sixers were one game away from the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2011-12. Yet, then- Sixers general manager Tony DiLeo decided to make the franchise-altering trade on Aug. 10, 2012.
The Sixers traded All-Star swingman Andre Iguodala to Denver, and promising youngsters Nikola Vucevic and Mo Harkless and a protected first-round pick to Orlando, in exchange for Bynum. The Lakers received Dwight Howard and Earl Clark from the Magic. There were other minor parts to the deal.
Bynum, who agreed to a two-year, $24.5 million deal with the Cavaliers on Wednesday, never played a game in Philadelphia last season. He did practice once.
The 7-foot, 285-pounder had bone bruises and cartilage problems in both knees. He earned $16 million last season for being a spectator.
The Sixers' season crashed and burned. They finished 34-48. DiLeo was replaced by Sam Hinkie. Coach Doug Collins resigned.
Hinkie blew things up on draft night when he sent All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday to New Orleans for the rights to Nerlens Noel. That signaled they were in full rebuilding mode.
Some observers blame all this misfortune on the Bynum deal. Sixers consultant and all-time great Julius Erving is in that camp.
"I know what the net result is," Dr. J told the Philadelphia media. "The net result is Robert Parish's old number ? 00. We have not benefited one degree. I guess he has."
The Cavs were involved in trade talks that summer when the Lakers were looking for a new home for Bynum. It was probably the best trade the Cavs didn't make. At the time, it appeared as if they pulled out because of the condition of his knees and the fact he wouldn't commit to a contract extension. Continued...
Things are different now.
If he pans out with the Cavs, they could be one of the East's most improved teams. If he never plays a minute for the team, assuming he signs his contract, he still earns a $6 million paycheck, and both sides part ways at the end of the season.
Potentially, the deal is reportedly worth $24.5 million ($12 million in 2013-14, $12.5 million in 2014-15), which the Cavs will gladly pay if Bynum can make his way onto the court for 50 or 60 games. The contract is stocked with incentives for games played. He has yet to sign the contract. The Cavs hope to make the announcement early next week.
If Bynum was healthy, he wouldn't be in Cleveland right now. He would have been one of the most sought-after free agents, one who would have signed a $100 million deal.
It's a risky proposition for the Cavs, but one they had to take. Don't blush the first time the Cavs travel to Philadelphia this year. It's not going to be pretty.
Fantastic offseason
Cavs general manager Chris Grant needs to be commended for his work this offseason. He had a lot on his plate.
He was entrusted to turn this woebegone franchise into a playoff contender with the draft, free agency and possibly trades at his disposal.
He added three prospects in the draft: UNLV forward Anthony Bennett, Russian swingman Sergey Karasev and Arizona State swingman Carrick Felix.
Grant signed three free agents, thus far, in Bynum, point guard Jarrett Jack (four years, $25 million) and Clark (two years, $9 million). Continued...
He said there are some trade talks in the works, possibly to clear up the logjam at power forward.
Grant said he entered into the offseason with several goals. He's reached almost all of them.
-- They wanted to add leadership to the young club. Check. Jack, 29, will be a team leader on the court and in the locker room.
-- They wanted to add toughness. Check. Jack and Bynum are tough and aggressive. And, if Anderson Varejao returns to form, they don't get any tougher than him.
-- They wanted to add playoff experience. Check. Bynum won a title with the Lakers. Jack was a key piece in Golden State's run to the Western Conference semifinals this year. Clark's Lakers team appeared in the postseason last season, even though they were swept by San Antonio.
-- They wanted to upgrade the small forward position. They haven't done that. In most instances, the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft is in the starting lineup from Day 1. Bennett might not get off the bench unless he can play small forward. Grant said on draft night he's primarily a ?4.' We'll have to see how this plays out. The 6-10 Clark could start at small forward. Clark might be better suited to play power forward. Returning starter Alonzo Gee remains on the team. Karasev might eventually take over at the ?3,' but he's more of a long-range project. He's only 19 and could face culture shock once he moves to Cleveland.
-- They wanted to bulk up. Check. Have you seen Bynum lately?
Grant has had an outstanding offseason.
"We're very happy with where we are," he said. "I don't know if you can ever say you achieved everything you want in the draft and free agency. The team is very fluid and is constantly changing. You are always looking for the next opportunities, even in free agency as we sit here today we still have ongoing conversations and there are ongoing trade possibilities. So many players have moved around so the landscape has changed, so I don't think you can ever say everything is perfect because I don't think it is.
"I think we're very happy with the progress we made from the draft to free agency into what we still have on the horizon. We're excited. We feel like we have good momentum and we're excited about that, but it's got to come together on the court and it's got to translate into wins." Continued...
Bynum's addition is the headline grabber. Jack's acquisition could prove to be even bigger in the long run. He's that good.
Cavs' expected depth chart
Point guard: Kyrie Irving, Jack, Chris Quinn
Shooting guard: Dion Waiters, C.J. Miles, Felix
Small forward: Clark, Bennett, Gee, Karasev
Power forward: Varejao, Tristan Thompson, Kevin Jones
Center: Bynum, Tyler Zeller
Rumor mill
-- The Cavs possess their mid-level exception worth about $2.65 million. They used the rest of their salary-cap space signing Bynum. There was some talk about bringing former Lakers forward Metta World Peace to the team. The Lakers used the amnesty provision on him and waived him. However, World Peace is not what the team needs. It might be a case of him being more of a bother than he's worth. Coach Mike Brown and the former Ron Artest are close. His kids love him, too.
-- The Cavs have renounced forward Luke Walton, according to the Los Angeles Times. The Cavs have yet to confirm the move. Forward/center Marreese Speights and perhaps Daniel Gibson were also likely renounced, a source said. Gibson had a $9 million cap hold. He won't be back. Teams can re-sign players they've renounced, but it has to be with available cap space.
-- I can't figure out what the Warriors are doing. Why they allowed Jack and forward Carl Landry to leave baffles me, especially when they replaced them with Iguodala and Speights. In many ways, Jack and Stephen Curry were the heart and soul of that playoff team last year. Now, the Warriors are going to bring Harrison Barnes off the bench? I think they are messing with a very good thing.
-- The Cavs considered Maryland center Alex Len with the No. 1 pick. Now we know why they passed on him. He had surgery on his right ankle this week. He had the beginnings of a stress fracture in the ankle.
"We expect him to be available to begin the season," Suns president of basketball operations Lon Babby said in a press release.
-- Former Cavs guard Baron Davis is telling people he was abducted by aliens. I don't know what's more outlandish: His aliens story or his attempted comeback.
- - -
Information for the NBA notebook was gathered by personal interviews and from other beat writers around the league. Finnan can be reached by email at: RFinnan@News-Herald.com
Source: http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2013/07/13/sports/nh7254879.txt
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