In his new city, Andrew Bynum might even play — eventually.
Bynum, 25, who landed in Philadelphia as part of the blockbuster Dwight Howard four-team trade 13 months ago, has agreed to a two-year deal with the Cavaliers. The incentive-laded agreement, first reported by ESPN Wednesday, could be worth $24.5 million. Only $6 million reportedly is guaranteed the first year with the Cavaliers having a club option the second year.
With assorted knee ailments plaguing him from the outset, Bynum never played for the Sixers and underwent surgery on both knees in March and still is not basketball ready. But the Cavs are in it for the long haul. They landed No. 1 overall pick, power forward Anthony Bennett, have All-Star Kyrie Irving at the point alongside young stud Dion Waiters. The Cavaliers, rumored to be planning a 2014 pitch to bring back LeBron James, were close to finalizing deals with free agents Jarrett Jack and Earl Clark.
So as the NBA’s first day to officially sign free agents rolled along yesterday, reports of finalized deals filtered in from across the landscape. Chris Paul stayed put with the Clippers. Al Jefferson went from Utah to Charlotte. David West remained in Indiana. Josh Smith flew from Atlanta to Detroit.
The wait continued for Howard to leave the Lakers and officially join the Rockets.
Though Houston made moves to clear cap space needed to accommodate Howard and his four-year, $88 million maximum deal, cynics waited for the enormously talented, ever-waffling center to begin discussing opt-out clauses, how much he would like to play in Brooklyn, why Los Angeles is a great fit, how Atlanta always will be home and the loyalty he feels to Orlando.
Houston traded Thomas Robinson, the No. 5 pick in 2012, to Portland for two international players and two second-round picks.
Paul was one of the first dominoes officially in place as he signed a five-year-deal (getting the extra year with his own team) for $107 million.
“It was an easy decision for me,” Paul said.
The Pacers, who beat the Knicks in the playoffs, completed what Larry Bird, the team’s president of basketball operations, termed the organization’s “No. 1 priority” in free agency, bringing back West, with the completion of a three-year $36 million deal.
Jefferson was one of two big men to leave Utah for the East. While Jefferson accepted a three-year $41 million deal with determined-to-not-be-lousy-again Charlotte, forward Paul Millsap signed a two-year, $19 million pact with Atlanta. With Jefferson aboard, Charlotte amnestied forward Tyrus Thomas.
“I can’t express how happy I am to be here,” Jefferson said, becoming the first player to utter those words about the Bobcats since — well, ever.
With Millsap coming to Atlanta, Josh Smith and his 6-foot-9 versatility left for Detroit and a four-year, $54 million deal. Pistons president Joe Dumars, who termed Smith “the No. 1 guy we went after in free agency,” looks to team him with young and talented bigs Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond.
The league confirmed a three-team sign-and-trade that sends Andre Iguodala from Denver to Golden State. The Nuggets get guard Randy Foye, and Utah gets three expiring contracts and draft picks.
The Clippers introduced their other additions/retentions: Darren Collison, J.J. Redick, Jared Dudley and two guys who stayed put, forward Matt Barnes and center Ryan Hollins. As part of a three-team trade for Redick and Dudley, the Clippers send Eric Bledsoe and Caron Butler to the Suns, while the Bucks got two future second-rounders.
* C.J. Watson officially became an ex-Net, signing a two-year deal from Indiana. … Another former Net, guard, Anthony Morrow, and former Celtics center Greg Stiemsma, are headed to New Orleans, which re-signed Al-Farouq Aminu (one year, $3.7 million). … Mike Dunleavy and the Bulls finalized a two-year, $6 million contract. … Tyreke Evans landed with New Orleans, completing a three-team trade with Sacramento and Portland. Evans got a four-year, $44 million offer sheet from the Pelicans prompting the trade.
* Eric Maynor will join John Wall with the Wizards, who also re-signed Martell Webster (four years, $22 million). … The Heat re-signed Chris “Birdman” Andersen (one year, $1.7 million). … Restricted free-agent point guard Jeff Teague plans to sign a four-year, $32 million offer sheet with the Bucks, multiple sources told ESPN.com.Portland signed ex-Sixer Dorell Wright (two years, $6 million). … The Lakers are bringing back center Robert Sacre for his second season.