With Dwight Howard headed to the Houston Rockets, free agent Andrew Bynum is becoming the next sought-after center. The Cleveland Cavaliers have joined the Dallas Mavericks as teams interested in the injury-plagued big man, ESPN reports.
The Cavaliers are willing to gamble on Bynum and sign the 7-footer, according to ESPN sources. Despite Bynum's history of injuries, including a knee injury that forced him to miss the entire 2012-13 season with the Philadelphia 76ers, the Cavaliers are expected to meet with Bynum on Monday.
Wary of what happened last season in Philadelphia, Cleveland wants to sign the center to a one-year deal. A one-year deal would allow Bynum to prove he can stay healthy if ever given a long-term contract, and it would allow Cleveland to retain its projected salary cap space for next summer's free agent class, which potentially includes LeBron James.
Cleveland has $15 million in cap space to use this summer. Bynum, who has refused to work out for teams this summer, becomes less of a risk if he agrees to a one-year deal. The 25-year-old would become an insurance policy for incumbent center Anderson Varejao, who also has a history of injuries.
Bynum could outright win the starting job and join the young talent of Kyrie Irving, Dion Waiters, Tristan Thompson and rookie Anthony Bennett.
If Bynum is able to stay healthy, he's proven to be one of the top centers in the NBA. In 2011-12, the last season he played, Bynum averaged 18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks.
Dallas is Cleveland's biggest competition for Bynum. After missing out on the Howard Sweepstakes, the Mavericks see Bynum as its next best option at center.
