Andrew Bynum Out Indefinitely: Sixers GM

Andrew Bynum apparently won’t be playing for the Philadelphia 76ers anytime soon because his knees are getting worse.

Tony DiLeo, the team’s general manager, said today that there is no longer a specific timetable for Bynum’s return to NBA action despite the previously targeted date of December 10 to start practicing with the team. ESPN reported the following remarks by DiLeo:

“Bottom line is Andrew is out indefinitely. There are no timelines; we just have to wait and see how he reacts.”

The Sixers center is dealing with injuries to both his knees, including a “weakened cartilage state.” There was also a report that he undermined his knee rehabilitation after going bowling. DiLeo indicated that Bynum, 25, won’t be going bowling again anytime soon.

DiLeo insisted that the Sixers knew what they were getting into in acquiring Bynum:

“At the time of the trade, we had four doctors look at his MRI; we knew it was a calculated risk. We also knew we were getting the second-best center in the league, a franchise-type player. We took that risk.”

The team is consulting medical experts around the world about the knee issues and monitoring Bynum’s low-impact rehab carefully. Surgery is apparently not an option for Bynum at this time.

In August 2012, the Sixers traded star Andre Iguodala (who was shipped to the Denver Nuggets), Moe Harkless, and Nikola Vucevic, plus a future first-round pick, to obtain Bynum from the Los Angeles Lakers. The same transaction sent Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic to the Lakers.

Bynum, who is earning $16 million this year, is scheduled to become a free-agent at the end of this season. He was selected 10th overall by the Lakers in the 2005 draft.

Do you think Andrew Bynum will ever take the court this season for the Philadelphia 76ers?