Is McDonough preparing to go after Bynum?

sunsfan88

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One thing I have noticed from McDonough from his interviews are that he keeps saying "we will stack up draft picks and cap space and everything....BUT if a situation happens where we could go get a great player, we will do it".

He's basically just citing what the Rockets did last year with Harden. They stacked up cap space, signed good role players like Asik, Lin and then drafted well with Parsons and loaded up a bunch of picks which they traded to get James Harden, "a great player".

Andrew Bynum is an All Star player. There has never ever been questions about his talent or skill level. He can do it all as a C. However, there are major character concerns with his game. But McDonough may be willing to take the risk with him and hope that a quieter market like Phoenix and a coach like Hornacek may be able to turn Bynum into the 2010-2012 version of Bynum.

Also, Aaron Nelson and the Suns miracle magic crew may be able to fix up Bynum's injury issues as well.

He's still only 25 years old and he has incredible superstar potential. With McDonough continuing to say that he will take his shot if he can get a big time player here, I wonder if he's talking about Bynum.

Bynum may cost a lot but the Suns do have the cap space. Besides, maybe McDonough can talk some sense into him and convince him that with Aaron Nelson in PHX, the Suns are his best possibility to gain a max contract. Maybe sign a 2 year deal with PHX and then if that goes well, then teams will be lining up to give him the max deal. It will mean that Bynum will basically be betting on himself.

BTW, I'm not endorsing this move. I don't really like Bynum that much but if McDonough were to make the move, I would support it and root for Bynum.
 

Phrazbit

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We actually dont have the cap space. And dudes in this business always leave themselves an out, I would not look much into him saying "unless".

Bynum has degenerative knees, he is also selfish, irresponsible and a thug. I doubt McDonough wants to make his first big splash as a GM by doing something that would most likely get him fired 3 years later.
 

Mainstreet

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I don't understand why a team would want to sign Bynum to a large contract when he did not play last season. Maybe some teams might gamble on a significant one year contract but would want team options on the other years. If he were responsible he should re-sign with the 76ers for a reasonable amount based on their gamble. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't end up back with the Lakers if Howard moves on.
 

SunsTzu

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I don't understand why a team would want to sign Bynum to a large contract when he did not play last season. Maybe some teams might gamble on a significant one year contract but would want team options on the other years. If he were responsible he should re-sign with the 76ers for a reasonable amount based on their gamble. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't end up back with the Lakers if Howard moves on.

The Suns maxed out Gordon after only playing 9 games. Unless Bynum is willing to sign for the luxury tax MLE(approx 3mil per iirc) he won't end up on the Lakers.
 

chickenhead

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I'm a sucker for redemption stories, especially when they involve the Suns training staff keeping a big man healthy. But this makes me nervous. I really, really don't like the Lakers. But if you can't be happy and productive on the Lakers, there's something wrong with you. Unless you're Kobe and you thrive on being unhappy and productive.

But I guess the big fear is that making the wrong choice here could be devastating for any kind of rebuild. That's a big risk for a new GM to take.
 

Griffin

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As far as the cap, it looks like the Suns will have about $7M in cap space to work with this summer if you count rookie cap holds. By comparison, Bynum made $17M last season. I don't think he will be looking to take a substantial pay cut. I also don't think the Suns would be willing to take such a huge gamble on an injured player again even if they did still have money. That money, however, has gone to Dragic, Scola and Beasley.
 
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sunsfan88

sunsfan88

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I'm a sucker for redemption stories, especially when they involve the Suns training staff keeping a big man healthy. But this makes me nervous. I really, really don't like the Lakers. But if you can't be happy and productive on the Lakers, there's something wrong with you. Unless you're Kobe and you thrive on being unhappy and productive.

But I guess the big fear is that making the wrong choice here could be devastating for any kind of rebuild. That's a big risk for a new GM to take.

I don't think Bynum was ever unhappy with the Lakers. He was just unhappy with Mike Brown, as was every other player on the Lakers.
 

Mainstreet

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As far as the cap, it looks like the Suns will have about $7M in cap space to work with this summer if you count rookie cap holds. By comparison, Bynum made $17M last season. I don't think he will be looking to take a substantial pay cut. I also don't think the Suns would be willing to take such a huge gamble on an injured player again even if they did still have money. That money, however, has gone to Dragic, Scola and Beasley.

I believe Scola will be traded a few days after the draft when he becomes eligible, perhaps for a future pick. Now packaging Beasley in a trade would be a gigantic accomplishment.

I do not want Bynum.
 

Errntknght

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Well, if we're voting, I do not want Bynum. I would have been glad to have him very early in his career but after seeing his true colors, thanks but no thanks.
 

Gaddabout

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I don't think Bynum is a McDonough type of guy. Durability is a big deal in basketball analytics (specifically related to minutes played), and Bynum doesn't have it. I suspect John Ezekowitz had Bynum with very low AP-M even when he was healthy.

Think the Suns should bite the bullet, negotiate a buyout with Beasley and take the cap hit. He's a negative on the floor and in the locker room. They shouldn't go into the season with him on the roster. Maybe they can have him committed.
 

JCSunsfan

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I don't think Bynum is a McDonough type of guy. Durability is a big deal in basketball analytics (specifically related to minutes played), and Bynum doesn't have it. I suspect John Ezekowitz had Bynum with very low AP-M even when he was healthy.

Think the Suns should bite the bullet, negotiate a buyout with Beasley and take the cap hit. He's a negative on the floor and in the locker room. They shouldn't go into the season with him on the roster. Maybe they can have him committed.

This arrest issue might solve the problem. Although I could never figure out why the cba counts the salaries of players who die or are in jail against the cap number.

Maybe it discourages owners or crazy fans from hiring hit men.

That Nets owner seems the type.
 

Gaddabout

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This arrest issue might solve the problem. Although I could never figure out why the cba counts the salaries of players who die or are in jail against the cap number.

Maybe it discourages owners or crazy fans from hiring hit men.

That Nets owner seems the type.

A family trust would still have legal rights to any guaranteed income.
 

HooverDam

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That's fair but why count it against a teams cap #?

My understanding (which could be wrong) is if he's in jail, his salary doesnt count against the cap. But it's unlikely the legal system would move swiftly enough to convict him before the season.
 
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