Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - The Philadelphia 76ers updated the status of Andrew Bynum on Saturday, and said the center is out indefinitely due to knee problems.
Nearly two weeks ago, the Sixers said Bynum, who was acquired in the offseason, might not suit up for his new team until January.
"We've said all along that we need some patience, that this is hard to predict this healing process," 76ers general manager Tony DiLeo said. "Andrew is the indicator how his body reacts."
DiLeo said Bynum has "bilateral bone bruises and a weakened cartilage state" in his knees. DiLeo added there "are no timelines" for Bynum's return.
Bynum, acquired by the Sixers from the Lakers in August as part of the four- team, 12-player blockbuster trade that sent Dwight Howard from Orlando to Los Angeles, was diagnosed with a bone bruise of the right knee in September and has had numerous examinations in the past two months.
He injured his left knee bowling a couple of weeks ago.
"That's an unfortunate situation," DiLeo said. "This is something with this weakened cartilage state that this thing can happen. As he said the other day, he was just taking three steps and rolling the ball."
DiLeo said that in mid-December Bynum will be evaluated again and will have MRIs.
Bynum, who has a history of troubles with both knees, appeared in 60 games and averaged 18.7 points with 11.8 rebounds for the Lakers last season.
DiLeo defended the trade the Sixers made during the summer. It was a deal that sent All-Star forward Andre Iguodala from Philadelphia to Denver.
"We knew it was a calculated risk," DiLeo said. "We also knew that we were getting the second-best center in the league, a franchise type player. We took that risk. His knees now and the MRIs are not the same as they were at that time. It's a different type situation.
"We are still looking at the big picture here, long term here. We're hopeful after this situation heals and when we can get him back on the court, we can plan on him in the future."
