Andrew Bynum Out Until 2013?

Bynum can produce, but he has yet to step on the court for the Sixers.

     According to multiple reports, Philadelphia 76ers All Star center Andrew Bynum -- the team's most prized trade acquisition over the summer -- will continue to be sidelined because of a nagging knee injury until at least December. ESPN's Brian Windhorst claims that Bynum will not be suiting up for the Sixers any time soon and projects him to resume basketball activities in five weeks. However, Philadelphia needs another additional one to four weeks to get Bynum in game-shape through training and conditioning exercises, which could possibly push the big man's debut date until after January 1, 2013.

     Bynum was part of the four-team trade that sent disgruntled superstar Dwight Howard from the Magic to the Lakers. In the trade, the Sixers dealt their on-court leader Andre Iguodala to the Nuggets, as well as Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless and a first-round pick to the Magic for Bynum and guard Jason Richardson, who has also been hampered by injuries through the first two weeks of the 2012-13 season. Fans, coaches, players and executives of the Sixers organization are counting on Bynum to step in and elevate the team into "title contender" status, but Philadelphia's hopes could be dashed if Bynum's right knee continues to trouble him. The Sixers are currently second in the Atlantic Division behind the only remaining undefeated NBA team, the resurgent New York Knicks.