The Sixers Should Be Happy Bynum is Hurt Now Instead of Later

It seems to a lot of people that the Philadelphia 76ers have a lot to be mad at Andrew Bynum for during this frustrating season many hoped would make for the Sixers taking a step forward.

If the Sixers should be anything, they should be grateful that they traded for Bynum, even if he never plays a single minute in their uniform.

For years, the Sixers have been one of the many teams in the NBA who struggled with being in limbo, stuck between trying to win while struggling to stop the losses from piling up. Along the way, they made some signings that attributed to the mediocrity.

Most recently, Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand were on a Philly squad that happened to be speeding on a fast track to nowhere. In 2008, Iguodala was signed to a six-year, $80 million deal that was eventually deemed too much for a guy who just never took that step to being a franchise player. Insert Brand’s own $80 million contract in that same 2008 offseason, and you end up with a team that never advanced past the second round of the NBA Playoffs while having one of the biggest payrolls in the NBA.

Iguodala was always in NBA trade rumors as the Sixers looked to have someone take his deal off of their hands. Brand was an apparent signing bust as he either never played enough games in two of his four seasons Philly, or not playing well enough in the seasons in which he consistently suited up.

Simply put, the Sixers were broke, mediocre, and had no way out. After the NBA lockout, an amnesty clause was implemented into the CBA that quickly made Brand Philly’s candidate to be the contract that they choose to no longer have on their cap. Then came Iguodala’s long-awaited departure from the Sixers in the deal for Bynum.

Since the trade, Iguodala has fit in with the fifth seeded Denver Nuggets, Brand has been more of the same shell of himself in Dallas, and Bynum has rehabbed on the Sixers’ dime.

Bynum’s skills in the low post, along with his rebound, make him one of the best centers in the NBA. After making his first All-Star Game last year with the Lakers, it was thought that his health and skills were finally coming together as he hits both his prime and free agency. It’s been the case that only the free agency is a guarantee, and the Sixers should be relieved.

If Bynum did happen to play even a little bit at this point of the season, assuming he’s to play at all, his market value would only continue to grow. Productive centers are a rare commodity in the NBA, and a 7-foot big man with the offensive skills that Bynum has to go along with his two titles on his resume make for a hefty contract offer from at least ONE team looking to plug their paint, even if he has a history of knee issues.

With Bynum’s latest setback in his recover from knee surgery, it is becoming more and more evident that he’s a risky investment to make long-term.

Amare Stoudemire, Kenyon Martin, and even Greg Oden are big man talents who have all had knee issues over the course of recent memory, the Sixers trading a contract they were desperate to rid themselves of for a guy who they can allow to simply walk at the end of the season may be a blessing in disguise.

They will have cap flexibility to build around rising All-Star Jrue Holliday, as well as young pieces in Thaddeus Young, Evan Turner, Nick Young, and Spencer Hawes. The Sixers know far too well how bad it hurts to sign a guy to a long-term deal only for it to bite them in the end, they have the chance to finally be able to dictate their direction with cap space for the first time in about five years.

Don’t feel too sorry for Sixer fans, they’ll be fine. Andrew Bynum will be, too. Someone will pay him, the Sixers just better make sure they aren’t that someone.