Andrew Bynum Cleveland Cavaliers Center Introduced, Vows To Play Full Season

Andrew Bynum vowed his commitment to playing a full season in 2013-14, much to the delight of Cleveland Cavaliers owners who some would say took the ultimate gamble in inking the oft-injured center to a two year, $24 million deal.

“I want to play a full season,” Bynum told media members during his formal team introduction. “There is no doubt in my mind that I can do that. Yes, I’m going to be ready. That is the plan. As long as I stick to it, I really believe that I have a great chance with this organization.”

After being dealt by the Los Angeles Lakers, Bynum missed all of the 20102-13 season with Philadelphia recuperating from lingering knee issues. He has played all 82 games just once in his eight NBA seasons. Over his last five years in L.A., he played in just 60, 54, 65, 50 and 35 games.

But it’s not as if Bynum won’t have added motivation going into the season. His new deal is structured where only $6 million is salary is guaranteed and he will need to meet a number of performance benchmarks, such as games played and weight clauses, in order to earn the entire sum.