Andrew Bynum Net Worth

What Is Andrew Bynum's Net Worth?

Andrew Bynum is a retired American professional basketball player who has a net worth of $30 million. Andrew Bynum is best known for his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, where he was a two-time NBA champion and an All-Star center. Drafted straight out of high school in 2005, Bynum was the youngest player ever selected in the NBA Draft at the time and one of the last before the league changed its eligibility rules. Standing 7 feet tall with a soft touch around the rim and strong rebounding instincts, Bynum showed flashes of dominance during his career, especially during the Lakers' back-to-back championship runs in 2009 and 2010. However, chronic knee issues and maturity concerns cut his career short, leading to a premature exit from the league after only eight seasons. Despite the early fade, Bynum earned a reputation as one of the league's most promising young big men and banked substantial earnings during his relatively brief time in the NBA.

Early Life & High School Career

Andrew Bynum was born on October 27, 1987, in Plainsboro Township, New Jersey. He attended St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, where he quickly established himself as one of the most dominant prep centers in the country. Bynum originally committed to play college basketball at the University of Connecticut, but after weighing his draft stock and potential upside, he declared for the 2005 NBA Draft directly out of high school.

At just 17 years old, Bynum was selected with the 10th overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers, becoming the youngest player ever drafted at the time. His selection was heavily influenced by then-Lakers assistant coach Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who would later mentor him during his early years in the league.

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NBA Career & Championships

Bynum's rookie season was largely developmental, but he began to show glimpses of his talent in his second and third years. In the 2007–08 season, he emerged as a legitimate starting center before suffering a knee injury midway through the year. Despite injuries slowing his development, Bynum played a critical role in helping the Lakers reach three consecutive NBA Finals from 2008 to 2010, winning championships in 2009 and 2010 alongside Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Lamar Odom.

His best individual season came in 2011–12, when he averaged 18.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, earning his first and only All-Star selection and being named Second Team All-NBA.

In August 2012, Bynum was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers as part of the blockbuster four-team deal that sent Dwight Howard to the Lakers. However, he never played a single game for Philadelphia due to ongoing knee problems.

Bynum briefly returned to the court during the 2013–14 season with stints in Cleveland and Indiana, but the spark was gone. He officially fell out of the league after attempting a short-lived comeback with the Indiana Pacers in 2014. He was 26 years old.

Contracts, Salaries & Career Earnings

Andrew Bynum signed his rookie contract with the Lakers in 2005, a four-year deal worth approximately $8.7 million. In October 2008, just as he was coming into his own, the Lakers signed him to a four-year contract extension worth $57.4 million, which paid out through the 2011–12 season.

After being traded to the 76ers in 2012, Bynum was in the final year of his contract and earning $16.1 million. Though he never played a game in Philadelphia, he collected the full salary.

In July 2013, Bynum signed a two-year deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers worth up to $24 million, though only $6 million was guaranteed. He was suspended by the team mid-season for conduct detrimental to the team and traded to the Chicago Bulls, who waived him the same day to avoid paying the rest of his salary. He then signed a veteran minimum deal with the Indiana Pacers.

Over the course of his career, Andrew Bynum earned roughly $70 million in total NBA salary, not including endorsements and incentives.

Injuries & Decline

Knee issues plagued Bynum throughout his career, including multiple surgeries and setbacks. His size and playing style put continuous strain on his joints, and he missed large portions of several seasons due to various knee-related ailments. The most infamous moment came in 2012–13, when Bynum suffered a setback while reportedly bowling during his rehab period with the 76ers. That season became a turning point, as he never fully recovered his explosiveness or confidence.

Beyond injuries, Bynum was often criticized for his attitude and inconsistency. Though immensely talented, questions about his maturity and work ethic persisted throughout his career. His post-Lakers years were marked by brief stints, clashes with coaches, and attempts at reviving his career that never fully materialized.

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