The fact that there are reportedly eight teams interested in Andrew Bynum’s services after watching him in Cleveland this season is yet another prime example of how overvalued size can be in the NBA.
Bynum has somehow managed to post a slightly above average PER of 15.45 in 24 games and has actually posted a couple of 20-10 games, but his overall production and performance have been far below average.
On the offensive side of the ball, Bynum has produced negative offensive win shares this year, according to Basketball Reference, and his rebounding, while solid, isn’t exactly game changing, as his total rebound rate of 14.6 is tied for 66th with Zaza Pachulia and Jon Leuer and his offensive rebound rate of 10.6 ranks 42nd.
The one redeeming factor in Bynum’s game so far in 2013-14 has been elite rim protection, as the field goal percentage he’s allowed at the rim of 37.6 bests that of the game’s best defensive big men. Larry Sanders allows 39.2 percent, Roy Hibbert 40.4, Joakim Noah 42.7, Omer Asik 43.2 and Serge Ibaka 43.8. And Bynum provides that interior defense without racking up fouls, as his 2.8 fouls per 48 minutes actually ranks the lowest of all listed centers (tied with Al Horford) this season. But even that positive note comes with a glaring asterisk, as Bynum’s movement is so limited (his average speed of 3.7 miles per hour is the 15th-slowest in the NBA this season) that the damage he’ll cause to a team’s transition defense negates much, if not at all, of that rim protection.
In other words, Bynum has been a below average offensive player this season, a defensive liability and a decent rebounder. And when you factor in that he might even prove to be a distraction for whichever team lands him, it begs the question, why do so many teams still want him?
The Heat give their center minutes to Chris Bosh, Chris Andersen and a select few to Udonis Haslem in small lineups, and the only advantage Bynum would have in that rotation would be raw size, though I’m sure Erik Spoelstra would figure something out. The Mavericks, also said to be interested, have their minutes at the five spot filled by Samuel Dalembert, DeJuan Blair and Brandan Wright, all superior options to Bynum at this point.
Of the teams reportedly interested, the one that might make sense is the Clippers, as L.A. relies on Ryan Hollins to back up DeAndre Jordan and Bynum should be able to provide an upgrade there.
What can Bynum do for you? Not a whole hell of a lot, actually. But if the Clippers or another contender can grab him on a minimum salary for the remainder of the season once he clears waivers on Thursday, then it just might work in very limited floor time and might not be disastrous.
But with Bynum reportedly taking money into account, don’t discount the fact that a non-contender comes along and overpays for a player that has come as close to stealing money, figuratively speaking (Saying Bynum’s actually stealing money is wrong, considering he’s simply happily accepting what others are willing to pay him), as a pro athlete can get over the last year-and-a-half.
