NBA free agent Andrew Bynum is reportedly drawing interest from the Los Angeles Clippers and Indiana Pacers while the Miami Heat are said to be uninterested in acquiring the mercurial center. One deterrent for potential suitors is Bynum's desire to make more than the minimum salary, ESPN reports.
Bynum, who was traded by Cleveland to Chicago on Jan. 7 and subsequently waived, appears to be drawing interest from only a handful of teams. The frontrunner for Bynum, according to ESPN's Marc Stein, are the Clippers.
Clippers coach Doc Rivers indicated the Clippers haven't ruled out signing the 7-footer.
"I won't say. I'm playing poker right now," Rivers said on Friday when asked about signing Bynum. "I can't say. We do talk about everyone but I do like our team, though. I really do so I tread very cautiously with change."
Indiana has also explored the idea of acquiring Bynum, although nothing appears imminent.
"Sources said Sunday that the Indiana Pacers are also among the original eight teams to have expressed exploratory interest in Bynum, but it remains to be seen whether Indy's involvement progresses to the point of a formal offer," Stein wrote.
Along with the Clippers and Pacers, the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks are believed to be the only remaining teams interested picking up Bynum. The Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks, Oklahoma City Thunder and Heat no longer appear to be in the Bynum sweepstakes, according to ESPN.
Yahoo! Sports confirmed Miami as uninterested: "The Heat are not expected to pursue free-agent center Andrew Bynum because they already have Greg Oden and have 15 roster spots filled, a league source said."
Miami's lack of interest in Bynum may lead to Indiana losing interest in Bynum. The Pacers were exploring the possibility of signing Bynum "more as a measure to keep him away from Miami," according to Stein.
A holdup for teams may be Bynum's reported desire for a contract worth more than the league minimum. If Bynum is looking for a more lavish contract, the Clippers, Mavericks and Knicks would be unable to sign him.
