Sixers should focus on free agency

Wrote this piece over the weekend for Philly.com. Check out the full article there, but most is below.

In the article I forgot to mention Al Jefferson as a potential free agent prospect, as he might be a nice fit in Philly. Check out the full list of 2013 free agents here.

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“I don’t want to play in pain.”

That statement right there should send strong signals to the Sixers about Andrew Bynum’s attitude going forward.

No one wants to play in pain, but for a seven foot center who hasn’t played a single second this season, and has been unable to string together consecutive healthy seasons in his seven years in the League, playing without any pain may prove impossible.

Bynum’s seemingly laissez-faire attitude about returning to action, exemplified by the fact that he has shown no perseverance to push through the pain, should serve as a sign to the Sixers that the two should probably go their separate ways after the season.

Recent word out of 76ers camp however, is that the team and Bynum are considering arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in order to clean out loose cartilage; a procedure that would end Andrew’s season before it even began.

Al Jefferson might be a nice fit in Philly.

Officially loosing Andrew for the remainder of the season wouldn’t be all that disappointing, as Sixer fans have grown quite accustomed to seeing the big man on the bench. The more disturbing aspect of the supposed surgery is that it means that to some extent the Sixers are considering bringing Bynum back.

If the Sixers were completely sold on letting Bynum walk this summer, then no such surgery would be suggested or discussed, as it would be another team’s issue.

Rather than consider surgery, expect Andrew to rehab hard, and develop some sort of pay-for-play contract, the Sixers should abandon Bynum and focus on free agency.

With Bynum off the books this summer, the Sixers should have an ample amount of cap space to pursue other players; ones that can actually contribute on the court.

While this summer isn’t teeming with talent like a couple years back when the likes of LeBron and Dwayne Wade were on the market, there is still a plethora of players that would be great additions to the Sixers; and at a better price than Bynum.

For instance, a solid scorer such as OJ Mayo or Kevin Martin could be added in addition to a powerful low-post presence, for a similar price to a max contract for Bynum.

David West, Paul Milsap, Carl landry, and J.J. Hickson are all serviceable big men who will be available this sumer. Their names don’t necessarily jump off of the page, but they can all produce, and hey, at least they will play, so they have Bynum beat there.

Rather than subjecting themselves and their fans to more seasons of uncertainty surrounding Andrew Bynum, the Sixers should cut their losses, and begin to build a new future for the franchise.