Andrew Bynum Plans to Play This Season

Andrew Bynum told reporters on Monday night that his right knee is much better, but his left hasn't improved but that he does intend to play this season for the Sixers.

The swelling in Bynum's knees has "greatly reduced," according to Bynum's agent David Lee - take the agents news with a grain of salt.

"Worst-case scenario, it's another month [after the MRI]," said Bynum. "Best-case scenario, I can ramp it up."

Either way, Bynum says he hasn't considered the possibility he won't play at all this season.

Bynum will have another MRI on December 20, when we should learn a lot more about his status for what will be left of the 2012-13 season.

"I feel pain walking around," admitted Bynum.  "So it'd be silly to go out and start playing basketball right away (once cleared)."

Bynum acknowledged the "possibility" that doctors will tell him to shut it down for the year, but he sounded quite optimistic about his appointment to have an MRI on Dec. 20.  The fact that walking causes him pain suggests he's still a good distance from returning, but did acknowledge that he might be able to play if the games meant something.

'If this was the Finals, I could potentially be helping this team win," Bynum says.  "That's a serious time and you want to be part of it."

So, who wants to give Bynum a big contract this summer when he is a free agent?