Philadelphia 76ers center Andrew Bynum, who was acquired in the mega-trade this offseason that shipped Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers and the 76ers own franchise player Andre Iguodala to Denver, has not played one minute for his new team this season due to lingering knee issues.
Bynum told Comcast Sports Network that he is "a week or two" away from returning to practice and expects to play this season. He did suggest that he may not ever be able to play without pain, though, which could be a frightening harbinger of things to come for any team looking to lock Bynum up after the season when he hits free agency.
Bynum was well on his way to reaching his prodigious potential last season with the Lakers, when he averaged 18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, and more importantly, started 60 games. While he has had attitude problems in the past, there is no questioning he has the talent to be a premier big man in the NBA. His worrisome knees, though, may nix those plans.
Bynum had been having issues with his right knee after being traded to Philadelphia, but in November while his right knee was healing he injured his left knee while bowling, according to ESPN.com, which is not a prohibited activity in his contract. In September, Bynum traveled to Germany to receive lubricating injections but he developed a bone bruise that hampered his recovery and the effectiveness of the shots.
Bynum won two NBA titles with the Lakers and reached his first All-Star game last season. The only time Bynum has ever played a full season was the 2006-2007 season, his second in the league. Of the 394 games the Lakers played between the 2006-2007 season through last year Bynum missed 130. This year, the 76ers are 22-29, sitting at seven games under .500 without Bynum, who has yet to suit up. With free agency looming and price tags high for seven-footers, it is possible that Bynum may never wear a 76ers uniform.
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