Lakers' Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol still finding each other
LAKERS FYI
They are improving on a game-by-game basis in passing around the basket. 'We definitely have a lot more high-low post action going on,' Bynum says.
It's not exactly the Shaw-Shaq Redemption, but Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum continue to work on feeding each other around the basket, with incremental improvement on a game-by-game basis.
They looked for each other a number of times Sunday in the Lakers' exhibition against Toronto, with varying degrees of success.
Bynum drew fouls twice while going for lobs from Gasol, though Bynum failed to connect with Gasol on one particular play, passing up a short jump hook by trying in vain to pass through two players to Gasol.
"We definitely have a lot more high-low post action going on," Bynum said. "I think you're going to see more of that as I get my legs back to 100% and everything. I'll be able to throw some of those dunks down."
Bynum, who is still getting into NBA-level shape after being sidelined since January because of a knee injury, converted two dunks on alley-oop passes Sunday, one from Kobe Bryant and the other from Vladimir Radmanovic.
Off the court, the Lakers and Bynum remain apart on contract extension talks.
General Manager Mitch Kupchak and Bynum's agent, David Lee, met Friday for about an hour at the team's training facility, though the only agreement to come from it was to talk again in the near future.
Lee is seeking a five-year extension for his client worth an estimated $17 million a year, while the Lakers are more comfortable paying Bynum about $10 million a year, possibly with incentives for All-Star appearances and team playoff success.
As per terms of the collective-bargaining agreement, teams can only offer incentives that move an annual salary upward. Bynum could not be penalized financially for missing games because of injuries.
The Lakers like the potential of Bynum and want to sign him for another five years, though they feel the need to protect themselves financially in case Bynum gets injured again.
If the sides don't agree to a deal by Oct. 31, Bynum plays the final year of a contract worth $2.8 million this season and becomes a restricted free agent July 1.
At that time, the Lakers could match any offer he signed with another team, or Bynum could sign a one-year qualifying offer with the Lakers for about $3.8 million and become an unrestricted free agent in July 2010.
In the current negotiations, there is room for flexibility.
