It was a year of significant improvement for the Los Angeles Lakers’ Andrew Bynum. The 7-foot center stayed healthy, for one, and he used his court time to blossom into arguably the best center in the NBA. At the very least, he has challenged Orlando’s Dwight Howard for that title.
Such improvement has its rewards. For Bynum, it was a $16.1 million option the Lakers picked up for next season, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Bynum, 24, was at times mentioned in trade discussions, but stuck around to play 60 games this season of the lockout-shortened season for the Lakers, averaging 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds with 1.9 blocks. His scoring and rebounding totals were the highs of his career.
His play was at times offset by unorthodox comments and moments where he did not appear to extend maximum effort. But his youth and talent trump his youth indiscretions — for now, anyway.
