Pacers signed Andrew Bynum without giving him a physical first

A 7-footer who had multiple knee surgeries might not hold up physically.

Who knew?

Apparently not the Pacers – or at least they chose not to investigate that before signing Andrew Bynum.

Candace Buckner of IndyStar:

The Pacers, who did not administer a physical to Bynum until after he signed the contract, had initially entered this relationship with high hopes.

As you know, that turned out horribly.

Bynum never got healthy in Indiana, and he might have even damaged Roy Hibbert’s confidence.

I can’t imagine a scenario where the Pacers chose not to give Bynum a physical in a vacuum. Quite likely, he refused to do a physical until they signed him, which is a perfectly reasonable negotiating point on his end. It also should have been a huge red flag to Indiana.

And maybe it was.

I’m not totally sold the Pacers signed Bynum only to keep him from the Heat, but this makes it look so much more likely.