Agent says Lakers' Bynum wants maximum contract extension
12:01 AM PDT on Tuesday, July 1, 2008

By BRODERICK TURNER
The Press-Enterprise

While the Lakers were making an announcement about their intentions to keep restricted free agents Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf, Andrew Bynum's agent announced his client's intentions.

Bynum can get a contract extension this summer from the Lakers. When his agent was told that Bynum suggested he would be willing to take less than the maximum of five years, $80 million, David Lee said they would be seeking the maximum.

"He was talking as a 20-year-old," Lee said in a telephone interview Monday. "He had not consulted with his representatives. I think the Lakers know how we feel about this."

The Lakers extended qualifying offers to Vujacic and Turiaf on Monday, which allows the team to establish a right of first refusal.

If Vujacic, whose offer was for about $2.6 million, and Turiaf, whose offer was for about $1.3 million, sign an offer sheet with another team, the Lakers can match the offer and retain them.

Both Vujacic and Turiaf are seeking long-term deals and hope their agents can come to an agreement with the Lakers.

The free-agent shopping period started at 9:01 p.m. Monday; players can't sign contracts until July 9. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said recently he would begin negotiations Monday night.

The Lakers could have a potential dilemma with Bynum.

He missed the final 46 regular-season games after he suffered a knee injury. He had arthroscopic surgery May 21 to remove some cartilage debris and smoothing some rough spots on the underside of the knee.

Bynum, a 7-foot, 285-pound center, has said he should be ready to start training by the second or third week of July.

"The ball is in their court," Lee said. "They've got a decision to make. The question is whether they believe in him the way I believe in him. It's their decision to make if they want him there for the future."

Bynum averaged career highs in points (13.1) and rebounds (10.2) last season. But he has played in just 163 games in three seasons.

"I don't think the Lakers have anything to worry about with Andrew's physical condition," Lee said. "The only thing is he wants to stay in the purple and gold. It's in their court."

Posted by djsunyc:


"I don't think the Lakers have anything to worry about with Andrew's physical condition," Lee said. "The only thing is he wants to stay in the purple and gold. It's in their court."

How about the purple and green?

His agent must think there are still Isiah's out there running teams.

IT would scoop up Bynum for the max toot sweet if he could. He's probably signing Jerome James to a max deal to endorse his popcorn line right as we speak.

Um... does he know he's not THAT good yet?

Posted by K22:

Um... does he know he's not THAT good yet?

Apparently not. Kobe should do a freestyle about him...wake his a** up.

Posted by sebstar:

Posted by K22:

Um... does he know he's not THAT good yet?

Apparently not. Kobe should do a freestyle about him...wake his a** up.

Unfortunately (or fortunately if you're the player), if you've got any size you can play the potential card in any contract negotiation.

do you really pay a dude who's not a primary scorer a max deal?

Laugh at Briggs, duke has played in like 2 games and he's ready to hand this cat 80 mil?????

[Edited by - sebstar on 07-01-2008 9:56 PM]

Bynum has the barganing chips on his side. Gasol was the steal for the fakers and he couldn't get it done on that level.

Andrew Bynum says hey, I can be the missing piece of the puzzle with the physical play in the post that this team needs to get over the top.

Remember I took on Shaq as a 17 yr old....who else had the guts to do that !

Pay me or continue to be regular season champs, but you need me for the playoffs.

Posted by crzymdups:

good thing bynum didn't waste any time on the plantation, this pay day wouldn't be here so soon.

LOL!

LMAO at Bynum demanding a max contract extension... prove something in the NBA before you ask for the big bucks young buck.