Lakers Exercise $16 Million Option on Andrew Bynum’s Contract

As expected, the Los Angeles Lakers picked up the option on Andrew Bynum for next season. But, as the LA Times explains, Bynum’s future in Hollywood is far from clear: “The Lakers officially picked up Andrew Bynum’s $16.1-million option, a formality for a player who finally tapped into the potential that had loomed above him throughout his career. How long he’s with the Lakers beyond that becomes the question. Bynum, 24, will be in the last season of a four-year, $57.2-million contract. Negotiations on an extension had not begun, though that could happen soon. If he doesn’t re-sign with the Lakers, he will be an unrestricted free agent after next season. Either way, Bynum remains one of the Lakers’ two tradable assets. They’d rather deal Pau Gasol, but his contract has two more years and $38 million left, heavy money for a player who averaged only 12.5 points in the playoffs and shot 43%.”