Re: Three-Way ORL/LAL/Cavs Rumor
From the PD. Bynum's agent was busy today. Same basic gist as Lloyd.
---
Cleveland Cavaliers' trade for Andrew Bynum still more rumor than fact
Published: Thursday, July 19, 2012, 8:54 PM
By Mary Schmitt Boyer, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND -- One NBA official with knowledge of the rumored three-way deal that supposedly would bring Andrew Bynum to Cleveland, while sending Dwight Howard to the Lakers and Anderson Varejao and draft picks to the Orlando Magic, doesn't think it will happen and says new Magic GM Rob Hennigan is reluctant to trade Howard to the Lakers.
In addition, Bynum's agent, David Lee, says he has had "zero contact" with the Cavaliers and their general manager, Chris Grant, and doesn't know how they appeared on a list of teams the Lakers center would consider when he becomes a free agent next summer.
"I read the same reporting giving the Andrew Bynum 'priority list' for lack of a better term," Lee said in a telephone interview Thursday. "I was in Alaska. I was in Alaska with Andrew. I don't know where that list came from. I'm speculating maybe [the reporter] went through teams with cap space. I don't know what else to tell you. I looked at the report and learn something every day."
Asked if his client had any interest in the Cavs, Lee said: "I cannot tell you that. We have not had any conversations. With all deference to Chris Grant, who's really a great guy I've known a long time, he's not even allowed to call me because that would be tampering."
Various reports have suggested Bynum would be willing to commit to the Cavs for a chance to play for coach Byron Scott and with Kyrie Irving. However, the Cavs certainly would not proceed to give away the cap space, flexibility and draft choices they have worked so hard to acquire without verifying that interest -- nor should they, Lee said.
"I would like to think that anybody who is giving any consideration would be smart enough to ask permission to talk to Andrew or myself as opposed to just gambling that he'll fall in love [with a team and/or city]," Lee said. "I certainly think it would be foolish of any team to be involved in any conversations regarding Andrew without having a conversation with Andrew."
He said he didn't know the source of the rumor that his client was headed for the Cavs, nor does he have any sense of whether his client will remain with the Lakers. "I have no feel on anything at this point," Lee said.
The NBA official indicated that the only player he believed the Lakers would part with Bynum for would be Howard. Some believe Bynum is more talented than Howard, although Howard is more focused. Bynum averaged 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game last season.
And while Howard is coming off back surgery, Bynum also has a history of knee injuries that have scared off the Magic, according to a report in the Orlando Sentinel.
