Sixers President Says Team Insured Against Andrew Bynum’s ‘Bizarre’ Injury Situation

The Philadelphia Sixers would obviously prefer to have Andrew Bynum on the court, instead of the hair salon. But in case he doesn’t suit up at all this season, however, team president Rod Thorn — who calls the big fella’s injury situation “bizarre” — says they have insurance against his $16.9 million salary. Per USA Today: “There is a league-wide insurance that he’s under that gives you some relief along those lines,’ Thorn said. ‘It’s the same league-wide program that every player’s under. Unless you have a pre-existing condition — and he didn’t — so he’s on the same one as everybody else.’ [...] That Bynum’s salary is at least partially insured lends credence to the team’s assertion that four doctors reviewed his medical history and approved the trade. Sixers co-owner and CEO Adam Aron has said that six doctors have actively treated Bynum throughout the season. [...] ‘It’s a little bizarre, there’s no doubt about it,’ Thorn said about Bynum’s inability to get on the court. ‘He’s had problems. He’s worked very hard. As you can see when you see him, he’s huge. His upper body, he works in the weight room, he works hard, he just hasn’t been able to play. It’s been very tough for him and obviously it’s been very tough for us.’ Bynum will become an unrestricted free agent in July, when he’s hoping to land a long-term deal and a nine-figure payday. [...] ‘I don’t know exactly what’s going to happen,’ Thorn said about whether Bynum will opt for surgery. ‘I think Andrew is very attuned to himself physically. He’s obviously seen a lot of doctors, so I think he’ll be able to make that decision when the time comes.’”