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Los Angeles Lakers: Andrew Bynum is a perfect experiment

By Jason Reed

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 19: Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a shot in front of Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 19 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 19: Andrew Bynum #17 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a shot in front of Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half in Game Four of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2012 NBA Playoffs on May 19 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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Former Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum is making headlines amidst an NBA return and is a perfect experiment for Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka.

Eight years ago, Andrew Bynum was a key component to the Los Angeles Lakers winning a second straight NBA Championship alongside Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher and company.

Four years after Bynum was a huge piece on an NBA Title-winning team, he was an injury prone center that could not relive his old glory. Four years after being champion of the world for the second time, Bynum was out of the NBA.

Bynum’s fall from grace from an all-star in the 2011-2012 season to his eventual NBA departure after the 2013-2014 season happened fast and unexpectedly. Bynum missed all of the 2012-2013 season with a knee injury and played in just 26 games in his last NBA season.

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Now, in the same timeframe from his NBA Championship to his NBA departure, Bynum is trying to give the NBA another shot after four years of retirement. What’s even crazier: Bynum will only be 31 years old this season.

The Los Angeles Lakers have emerged as the most likely destination for Bynum. Los Angeles is thin at center, has an open roster spot after buying out Luol Deng and was the team that got the most out of Bynum.

Meanwhile, Bynum worked out at the Lakers facility, although it was not considered a team workout and could ease into play in a reduced role off the bench.

He has that experience in the playoffs that LeBron James has turned to and would be only the third player on the Lakers with that experience alongside LeBron and Rajon Rondo.

Bynum is not going to get a big contract and is only going to be signed for one season, that is inevitable. There is no long-term contract repercussion and if the there are chemistry issues the Lakers can simply cut him.

In fact, bringing in Bynum is the perfect experiment if done correctly. The Los Angeles Lakers should sign Bynum to a two-way deal and accomplish something they could not accomplish with many other players.

Bynum is a draw and he would bring a sense of legitimacy to the NBA G League, which has been trying to copy the success of minor league baseball and even minor league hockey.

Quite frankly, the G League is far below what it can be and would benefit greatly from a big name like Bynum.

This would not only bring exposure to the South Bay Lakers and the rest of the G League but it would also give Bynum a way to get back into game shape and ease into it at his own pace.

Let Bynum play 15 or so games in the G League and then bring him back up to the regular roster to serve a role as a third option at center in the rotation. This will further allow him to ease back into the NBA pace of play.

The upsides of this are enormous and Bynum could still be a rim-protecting, class cleaning center that the Lakers could rely on in the postseason. While he will not stretch the floor or score a ton, he is the perfect center to put around LeBron James and the rest of the dynamic scorers on the team.

And again, the Lakers would not be sacrificing anything but a few minutes to Ivica Zubac while doing this.

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While the fans may still be undecided, it is clear that Andrew Bynum signing with the Los Angeles Lakers would only help everyone involved.

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