This is Bynum in a Lakers uniform because that’s the last uniform he played an actual NBA game in.
After months of waiting, the worst possible news was delivered Monday night.
Andrew Bynum is out for the season and scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery on both knees. He’s out for the season and may never play for the Sixers since he’s an unrestricted free agent.
The Sixers made a splash in the offseason when they acquired the two-time All-Star in a four-team, 12-player trade. The Los Angeles Lakers received Dwight Howard, the Denver Nuggets picked up Andre Iguodala and the Orlando Magic got Nikola Vucevic and Maurice Harkless in the huge deal.
From day one in training camp, Bynum’s debut kept getting pushed back further and further. There was weakened cartilage in the knees and bilateral bone bruises. His knees never healed enough to make that much-anticipated debut.
“I think it’s a shame,” said Sixers center Spencer Hawes. “I feel bad for Andrew and bad for the fans. Hopefully, everything will work out in the end. It just didn’t work out for him this season. I think we’re all praying for him.”
Sixers coach Doug Collins had been anxiously anticipating Bynum’s presence in the middle. He may never see the 7-footer in a Sixers uniform.
“It’s sad,” Collins said. “It’s been a tough year for our franchise and a tough year for Andrew.”
All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday was clearly upset when informed of the news.
“That sucks,” he said. “That sucks to hear … I’ll be praying for him.”
Bynum’s surgery will be performed by Dr. David Altchek of the Hospital of Special Surgery Tuesday in New York. Beyond that, no one knows what the future holds for Bynum with the Sixers.
“I think it’s a tough situation all around,” Hawes said. “We’ll have to see what happens. I sure would love to see him in a Sixers uniform. I’m just praying that he gets healthy.”
