for the Cavaliers.
The team suspended the enigmatic center indefinitely on Saturday for
"conduct detrimental to the team" and banned him from all team-related
activities. Bynum, who signed a two-year, $24 million contract with the
Cavs in July, did not travel with the team to Boston for Saturday's game
and it's likely that he has played his final game for Cleveland.
The Cavs will try to trade Bynum.
Bynum's suspension isn't a major shock considering he has not performed
at a consistent level and has appeared disinterested while on the
floor. Earlier this season, the 7-footer, who did not play a single
second last season for Philadelphia because of knee injuries, talked
openly about retirement and said his medical issues have been a
challenge to overcome.
There were times this season Bynum showed
flashes of being a dominant post player again. But recently he has
lacked energy or enthusiasm and on Monday he missed all 11 field-goal
attempts and didn't score in 22 minutes against Detroit.
The
Cavs only guaranteed Bynum $6 million on his deal, and they can clear
more salary cap space if he is traded or released by Jan. 7. There could
be interest in Bynum by a team willing to accept that he's not the same
player who routinely recorded double-digit points and rebounds for the
Los Angeles Lakers.
The 26-year-old Bynum spent seven seasons with the Lakers, who selected him with the 10th overall pick in the 2005 draft.
Bynum is averaging 8.6 points and 5.3 rebounds in 24 games - 19 starts this season.