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As this evening's Adam Aron saga unfolded, you may have thought to yourself, "what could make this evening more Sixers-y?" If you are like me and you answered this question in your head, your answer was probably something along the lines of "a surprise Andrew Bynum update," although you probably dismissed it as something that would not happen.
Well! You're in luck! Shortly after Sixers PR guy Michael Preston denied all rumors Adam Aron was fired, Dan Gelston of the Associated Press came in with what everyone was looking for less than 72 hours before the draft: An Andrew Bynum update!
Bynum agent David Lee says there's "not a concern in the world" that the big man will be ready by training camp. #76ers
— Dan Gelston (@APgelston) June 25, 2013
Bynum agent David Lee says the 76ers C rehab is complete. Bynum will head next week to Atlanta to begin basketball drills.
— Dan Gelston (@APgelston) June 25, 2013
Bynum agent David Lee says 76ers aren't completely out of picture but looking grim. Had almost no contact w team Does not expect July 1 deal
— Dan Gelston (@APgelston) June 25, 2013
It is certainly good news that Andrew feels good about himself and is optimistic about a training camp return to basketball, although one can point to the optimism around him after the trade went down as a sign that just because things seem well now does not mean they will be fine when training camp begins. Either way, though, I hope nothing but the best for his health.
It is not surprising that Bynum's agent is not expecting the Sixers to offer him a contract. Given Hinkie and the apparent new direction the Sixers are going in, it appears the Sixers want to start over and they do not want an at-risk Bynum weighing down their cap space. Bynum's condition is degenerative, and even if he is in fact fine to start the season with an NBA team, those knees are a ticking time-bomb. It is hard to blame a team moving in a new direction for staying away from that given what we know.
The Draft is in 72 hours. We'll know a lot more about the future of the Sixers then. Unless the person who used a time machine to send us back to January does not undo this cruel twist of fate. In which case, Sixers-Bucks tomorrow. Who you got?
[6/24/2013 - 10:30 PM] Clarification from Derek:
I talked with David Lee, Andrew Bynum's agent as well. To be clear, the drills he is doing down in Atlanta next week are not for teams...
— Derek Bodner (@derekbodner) June 25, 2013
The Bynum workouts are personal workouts he does every year. His trainer is based in the Atlanta area.
— Derek Bodner (@derekbodner) June 25, 2013
He did reiterate that Bynum has completed rehab and ready to begin working out, although he thinks it will be mostly conditioning to start.
— Derek Bodner (@derekbodner) June 25, 2013
To be clear, that was Bynum's agents estimation that it would be conditioning focused to start. It's ultimately up to traner + Bynum.
— Derek Bodner (@derekbodner) June 25, 2013