Agent: Andrew Bynum needs to have a say in whatever trade plan Los Angeles Lakers are hatching – NBA News
As Andrew Bynum takes central position in trade talks by the Los Angeles Lakers, his agent has said that it would be “foolish” if any team agreed to a deal with the Lakers without first asking Bynum about his
short term and long term plans, and his interest in signing a deal with his new team.
The Los Angeles Lakers are using Bynum as a trade chip in talks with the Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets. However, they have not allowed any team to directly speak with Bynum or his agent.
“I can't imagine any team foolish enough to do the deal without asking permission to speak to Andrew. That's beyond belief, but strange things happen,” said Bynum’s agent David Lee to ESPNLosAngeles.com on Thursday.
The Lakers are looking to sign Magic All Star centre Dwight Howard, who has expressed his desire to the Magic management to be traded. Bynum is the player the Lakers are offering to any potential team willing
to get involved with the Lakers and Magic in a three team trade. So far, the Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers are the frontrunners to take the role of the third team.
Bynum has been the subject of many a trade rumours throughout his time with the Lakers, but does not seem bothered by the rumours, not does he feel disappointed or de-motivated by the way the Lakers are handling
his contract.
The important element in any talks regarding Bynum is the fact that he is currently in the final year of his contract and will be a free agent next summer. Any team willing to trade him does not know whether
he will sign a contract extension with them or not, leaving them to think that he might just be a one year rental and of no use to a team that is looking to rebuild.
The Lakers are expected to begin contract extension negotiations with Bynum if a deal involving Howard is not finalized within the next few days. Bynum can either sign an extension for three years now or wait
till next summer when he becomes a free agent and can sign a five year deal.
The proposed deal which will send Bynum to either Cleveland or Houston, or any other team has been dragging for quite some time now. Orlando are taking their time before they make their final decision, which
could completely change the fate of the franchise over the years to come. However, the delay is frustrating other teams involved in the trade talks, just like the Brooklyn Nets became frustrated and decided to end their hunt for Howard by re-signing centre
Brook Lopez to a four year contract.
“I just think it's healthier for everybody involved to get it done sooner rather than later. It's healthier for Dwight, too. Then maybe people will start talking about basketball again,” said Lee.
Tags: