NBA roundup: Sixers' Bynum has doubts about returning this season
It's looking more and more like knee problems will keep Philadelphia 76ers center Andrew Bynum off the court this season.
Bynum expressed optimism last week about playing at some point this year but changed his outlook Friday while speaking with reporters, citing swelling in his right knee after a scrimmage.
He said he feels no sense of urgency to return this season, which has six weeks left and the Sixers in the midst of a seven-game losing streak. Bynum will become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
"Now it's getting really late," he said. "I don't know.
"Being healthy is more important than everything else. If I am healthy, I'll get a deal. I have to be able to play and I need to get to the point where I'm healthy to play."
Bynum has yet to play a game for the Sixers after arriving last summer from the Los Angeles Lakers as part of a four-team trade.
---Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving was listed as questionable for Friday night's matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers with a hyperextended knee that has kept him out of the past two games.
Cavs coach Byron Scott said the team wants to make sure Irving, the franchise's best player, is 100 percent before returning. Irving did not participate in the team's morning shootaround.
Irving injured the knee in practice last week, but the Cavs have beaten Chicago and Toronto without their star in the lineup. They are 4-9 in games Irving has missed this season with injuries.
Also on Friday, the Cavaliers recalled forward Kevin Jones from Canton of the NBA Development League.
---The NBA received an official bid for the Kings' franchise from a group that plans to keep the team in Sacramento.
The group is headed by 24 Hour Fitness founder Mark Mastrov and billionaire Ron Burkle. Financial details weren't released, league spokesman Tim Frank said. They are hoping to keep the team from moving to Seattle next season.
---The New Orleans Hornets announced that forward/center Jason Smith will miss the rest of the season with a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
He will have surgery next week.
In 51 games, Smith averaged 8.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game and shot 49 percent.
Also, forward Anthony Davis is out day to day with a shoulder sprain.
---The Miami Heat assigned forward Jarvis Varnado to Sioux Falls of the NBA D-League.
Varnado has played in 10 NBA games, including five with the Boston Celtics, and totaled eight points and three rebounds. The Heat signed Varnado to two 10-day contracts in January and for the rest of the season on Jan. 30.
---The Atlanta Hawks announced Friday that they assigned rookie Mike Scott to the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA D-League.
Scott, a second round pick out of Virginia, is 3.0 points and 2.1 rebounds in 7.5 minutes over 25 games this season.
