Will Bynum seemed to finally have his game grow up this season at age 30 — they guy always had the quick first step and the ability to put up points in bunches on the right night. But this season, playing behind Brandon Knight, he stopped taking as many bad shots and turning the ball over. He averaged 9.8 points a game with an above average PER of 16.6.
He’s the kind of backup point guard a team that need athleticism in the backcourt could really use… like the Lakers and Knicks.
And both are interested in him as a free agent, reports Vincent Ellis of the Detroit Free Press.
Hearing #Pistons FA point guard Will Bynum drawing interest from #Lakers and #Knicks. #freeagenttalk
— VinceEllis (@AlabamaScribe56) June 13, 2013
No doubt, both team could use him; he’s a good fit.
The problem is money. Both the Lakers and Knicks are way over the tax apron, meaning the most they can offer is the taxpayer’s mid-level exception of about $3.2 million (yes Lakers fans, even if Dwight Howard leaves). The Knicks are expected to use that money to keep guys like Pablo Prigioni and Chris Copeland. The Lakers have plenty of other needs.
Another team that could use production off the bench at the point (hello Indiana?) could step in with a little more money and snatch him up.