While the Chicago Bulls await patiently the return of Derrick Rose, it looks like the Philadelphia 76ers may have to wait another season for Andrew Bynum to take the court.
Bynum, the star center that the Sixers acquired via trade last summer, told reporters Friday that he's developed some knee swelling after taking part in a 5-on-5 scrimmage last week.
With barely 30 games to go in the Sixers' regular season, Bynum, who said recently that he would return this season, admitted that things were a little more uncertain.
"Now it's getting really late," he said. "I don't know.
With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, making Bynum an unrestricted free agent, it's likely Bynum isn't in a rush to jeopardize his health as he could stand to fetch a handsome deal on the free market.
"Being healthy is more important than everything else," Bynum said. "If I am healthy, I'll get a deal. I have to be able to play and I need to get to the point where I'm healthy to play."
Bynum was acquired via a four-way trade this summer that saw Andre Iguodala move to Denver, Bynum--an ex-Laker--head to Philly, and Dwight Howard head from Orlando to the Lakers.
While it was hoped that Bynum, who averaged 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds last season for the Lakers, would make an impact for the Sixers this season, Bynum's absence for the entire season due to his reoccurring right knee issues has not done Philadelphia any favors in the standings.
As of Friday, the Sixers hold a 22-34 and six games out of the eight and final playoff seed, a marked dropoff after coming off a playoff season where they upset the Chicago Bulls and took the Boston Celtics to seven games in the semi-finals.
Looking back at the trade, Sixers coach Doug Collins, in a candid interview he gave on Tuesday after losing to Orlando, noted that Bynum's absence was felt this season, especially after Philadelphia traded a star player in Iguodala.
"The team that we tried to put together we've never seen. And so I think, when you take a huge piece away from it, your warts show."
"We made a huge deal. And we have nobody playing as part of that deal. How many teams can give up Andre Iguodala, Moe Harkless and Nik Vucevic, and have nothing in return playing? That's tough to overcome, right? That's just the facts. I'm not looking for any out. But that's the facts," Collins added.