The Indiana Pacers have signed difficult center Andrew Bynum for the rest of the season. The news was confirmed by Yahoo Sports Adrian Wojnarwoski after there were reports of a Bynum sighting in Indiana.
Bynum could provide a great presence off the bench for a team that’s already stacked with strength and size in the starting lineup and could help push them past the Miami Heat. In fact many think the Pacers signed Bynum to prevent the Heat from picking him up but they already signed Greg Oden who’s provided some help off the bench and I don’t think they would need another 7-footer that comes with some issues.
“I don’t know who came up with that, but that’s about the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard,” Larry Bird said on signing Bynum to keep him from the Miami.
There’s still a question about Bynum’s chronic knee issues and his dedication to the game.
He averaged 8.4 points and 5.3 rebounds for the Cavaliers over 24 games before being suspended and then traded by the team. He was traded to the Bulls for Luol Deng which was a financial decision for them as they waived Bynum right after.
When asked about the signing Paul George said, “he’ll have to prove a lot to himself on whether he wants to play or not. If he comes in ready to go ready to put in the work, really buying into our program, we have no problem being there for him.”
“We’ll know right off the bat if he’s going to be committed to us or not. It won’t be a problem, I don’t think,” said George.
Roy Hibbert walked off the court, interjecting before being asked that he had something to do off the court. He did return to answer questions though.
Still if Bynum’s head is on straight and he’s ready to be a solid contributor he and Roy Hibbert can be one of the biggest and deepest front lines in the league. He averaged 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds with the Lakers in the 2011-12 season.
According to USA Today’s Sam Amick, the Pacers signed Bynum to a $1 million contract for the rest of the season. He’s also still receiving $6 million from the Chicago Bulls.
Pacers quotes via Candace Buckner
– Shaina Auxilly (@Shay_Marie)
