NBA: Andrew Bynum Signs Incentive-Laden Deal With Cleveland Cavaliers Potentially Worth $24 Million

Free agent Andrew Bynum has signed a two-year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers believed to worth $24 million, if the center can hit all his incentives.

Bynum's deal will include $6 million of $12 million guaranteed in Year 1, with the rest to be earned via the centering hitting health- and game-related benchmarks to collect the full amount of the contract. The Cavaliers have a team option prior to the 2014-2015 season worth $12.5 million.

Bynum, who last played for the Lakers during the 2011-12 season, was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2012, in a four-team deal that saw Dwight Howard land in Los Angeles, but never suited for Philly due to injuries to both his knees - including setbacks during rehabilitation.

In training camp, Bynum sat out due to a bone bruise in his right knee. In November, he had cartilage damage repaired on his left knee, later admitting it was "setback" cause by recreational bowling. In December, suffered another setback with bones bruises on both knees. After the All-Star break, the center began participating in 5-on-5 drills before shutting down for the season and underwent season-ending arthroscopic surgery on both his knees.

The Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks were also interested in Bynum's services, having met with the center but neither making an official offer. Maverick officials came away concerned about Bynum's health issues, believing he may not be ready for the start of the season.

That did not deter the Cavaliers from signing Bynum. Cleveland views the incentive-laced contract worth the risk, hoping that Bynum can play up to his career averages of 11.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.

The addition of Bynum caps off a busy off-season for the Cavaliers, in their attempt to get point guard Kyrie Irving help as well as possibly make a run at LeBron James should he opt out of his contract prior to the 2014-2015 NBA season. Cleveland has signed Jarrett Jack and Earl Clark while selecting Anthony Bennett with the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft.