Lakers In No Hurry to Extend Andrew Bynum, Much to the Disappointment of His Agent

The Lakers have until Octber 31st to offer Andrew Bynum a contract extension, or else face the consequences of their young center being allowed to gauge his worth on the restricted free agent market. While this is a slight risk for the team if Bynum ends up fully recovering from his knee injury that kept him out of more than half of last season, it really seems like a "wait and see" approach is in the best interest of the franchise. Not surprisingly, Bynum's agent doesn't see it that way.

David Lee, the man Bynum pays to say these things, seems to be perplexed as to why the Lakers wouldn't just go ahead and extend the 21-year old for five more years and $85 million more dollars of guaranteed money since, you know, he's "taken everything the team has thrown at him."

"I just don't get it," Lee said. "I do not understand certain things that happen. Andrew has taken everything the Lakers have thrown at him, including criticism. He doesn't do anything to respond other than go on the court. He just goes on with his business."

If Lee doesn't get it, I'd be happy to explain things to him. Bynum has yet to prove that he can show up to practice on time and give it all he's got, much less survive a starting role in the NBA for 82 games. Besides coming off of a serious knee injury, Bynum was late to practice the other day, and Phil Jackson has been critical of his effort since the beginning of training camp. In order for Lee to get the Lakers to come to the bargaining table, he should first get his client to show up to practice on time, give maximum effort, and not complain about coming off the bench during the pre-season. Then and only then might Lee and his client have a leg to stand on.