Former NBA star Andrew Bynum has announced his intention to make a comeback with the Los Angeles Lakers. The two-time NBA champion, who last played in the league in 2014, expressed his enthusiasm for a potential return during an interview on June 7, 2024.

“Anything is possible,” Bynum said when asked about the likelihood of rejoining his former team. “I’ve been working hard to get back in shape and I feel better than ever. The Lakers have always been like family to me, and I’d love to contribute to the team once again.”

Bynum, who was a key player in the Lakers’ championship runs in 2009 and 2010, has been away from professional basketball for nearly a decade. However, his recent statements have sparked excitement among Lakers fans and speculation about how he could fit into the current roster.

The Lakers, known for their willingness to take risks on veteran players, may find Bynum’s experience and size valuable as they continue their pursuit of another NBA title.

Los Angeles Lakers NBA Champion Speaks On What Happened To Andrew BynumTrevor Ariza recently spoke about Andrew Bynum.

Andrew Bynum was once among the best players in the entire NBA.

By the time he was 23, he was arguably a top-three center.

However, Bynum dealt with injuries and was never able to return to All-Star form.

He played his last game in the NBA at 26.

Recently, Trevor Ariza was on the Forgotten Seasons podcast with Dylan Dreyfuss and Jelani McCoy.

Dreyfuss asked Ariza about Bynum (his former teammate).

Dreyfuss: “What happened to Andrew Bynum?”

Ariza: “As far was what?”

Dreyfuss: “I mean, he was killing. Was it just the injury?”

Ariza: “I think it was a number of things that probably happened. Again, this league is taxing mentally, it’s a lot of things that you would have to deal with that people probably don’t know. Plus, having to deal with whatever he was going through in his personal life. Those things can all take you off your course, man. Knock you off your square. Life happened, I would say. We don’t know if he’s in a space or a state where he’s cool with where he is. You never know. As far as his game is concerned, he was one of the youngest players drafted in the history of the game. He just blossomed and got better and better and better and better and better every single year.”

Bynum was the tenth pick in the 2005 NBA Draft and spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Lakers.

He made one All-Star Game and helped the Lakers win two NBA Championships.

His career averages are 11.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.6 blocks per contest while shooting 55.6% from the field in 418 regular season games for the Lakers, Cavs and Pacers.

Ariza also added: “Not to get too deep into it, but he was very close with his family, and when he lost his mother, that took a real toll on him, like for real. That s**t is not light. You can’t replace your mother. You only get one of them. Knowing what his mom meant to him and what his family means to him. I’m sure that had a lot to do with how we don’t really hear much about him right now.”