Bynum Seeking Max Contract

Andrew Bynums agent David Lee believes his client should get the max contract extension. This after Bynum himself weeks earlier said that he doesnt care about max contracts and that he just wants to be a Laker and can be happy taking less. His agent believes that Bynum was “Talking like a 20 year old and had not consulted with his representatives. I think the Lakers know how we feel about this. ” Bynum is eligible for a max contract extension that would be 5 years and 80 million.

I personally believe, although his agent is just trying to do whats best for his client , he is off base on this request at this time. Look, the kid is coming off a serious injury. So much so that he took way longer to recover than originally diagnosed and actually needed surgery which they didnt intend on having. His swelling has just barely subsided. If Im Mitch Kupchak and Jerry Buss , Im telling his agent look , we love Andrew and we believe he is a max contract type player for us in the future. But right now is not the time to start those talks. The Lakers have in their corner the fact that he has this year up coming under contract and the following year they can offer him a qualifying offer which would make him a restricted free agent, that way even if any team makes an offer they can come back and match.

You also have the fact that Bynum wants to be here. He’s said so , many times and like I said earlier even blurted out that he didnt need the max extension. Although you dont want to ruffle the agents feathers here, you also have to make him realize that this is a big investment that will take place when the time is right. Management should take notice of the fiasco that went on with Grant Hill in Orlando when he was unable to stay on the court due to his shattered ankles, every year they were strapped financially with his enormous contract with nothing to show and the inability to sign or trade for more players due to the salary cap.