Kupchak Is Pleased With Bynum's Progress

The last we heard from Andrew Bynum he had just been cleared to start conditioning drills. After six weeks in the gym, is his surgically-repaired left knee holding up? According to Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak, yes, yes it is. Kupchak traveled to Atlanta this week to gauge with his own eyes Bynum's progress, and his report should relieve nervous Laker fans.From Janis Carr from the Orange County Register (via TrueHoop):

"I could see improvement in his body, his conditioning and mobility," Kupchak said. "I didn't see any signs of effects from the surgery."

Kupchak said he expects Bynum to report to training camp at full strength, considering camp doesn't start for another month.

"He told me that he is ready to comeback (to L.A.) to start playing full-court drills," he said. "He sounded eager to play."

This is great news, though the true test will come in the exhibition season once he starts banging with opposing big men who hold no regard for his health.

The next step? Getting that money. He's hoping for a maximum contract worth $80 million over five years. If he stays healthy and bounces back this season, he should get it. He'll be a restricted free agent next summer, and if the Lakers don't lock him up, he'll be able to mint his own money as an unrestricted free agent in 2010. It seems like every other team in the league is clearing space under the cap to go nuts that summer, and a 22-year-old double-double machine should be near the top of everyone's shopping list.