Bynum at center is still Plan A for Sixers

Tony DiLeo told the media Friday that the Sixers have a Plan A — “and I think everybody knows what ‘A’ stands for.”

That would be Andrew, as in Bynum.

Yes, the Sixers are still waiting for an injured center who is probably still at least two weeks away from making his debut with the team, though he did participate in some scrimmaging Friday at practice.

Unless they start winning some games, they might be out of playoff contention when (if?) Bynum suits up as a Sixer.

Re-signing Bynum is also part of the Sixers’ Plan A, which serves to illustrate how desperate they are for a big man.

DiLeo, the Sixers GM, talked about having options this summer, too. By subtracting the contracts of Nick Young ($6 million), Dorell Wright ($4.1 million), Bynum ($16.5 million) and minimum-salary guys Royal Ivey and Damien Wilkins ($1.2 million apiece), the Sixers could get roughly $15 million below the salary cap in July.

Using that money on another team’s free agent or by making an uneven trade is likely the team’s Plan B.

While there’s a possibility Bynum may not want to re-sign here, the CBA permits the Sixers to pay him more money ($100 million) and give him one more year (five) than any other team.

DiLeo’s words give the impression that, all things being equal, the Sixers would like to bring Bynum back.

“It’s hard in the NBA,” DiLeo said. “There are maybe a handful of players that can move the needle. Andrew’s one of those players. He can make a big difference on a team.”

Translation: With so few quality centers in the league, we’re going to give this guy every opportunity to make it work in Philadelphia.

It’s called trying to salvage something from a trade that looked much better when it happened on Aug. 10.

DiLeo also said the Sixers’ medical people would have a say in Bynum’s future here. The big question could be how much damage there is to his cartilage, since the bone bruises shouldn’t become longterm issues.

Asked about re-signing with the Sixers on Tuesday, Bynum said, “I’m here now. I don’t have any problem with the Sixers and they treated me great this entire time. There’s no bad feelings either way.”

That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement.

If Bynum never plays for the Sixers, their decision should be easy. Re-signing him would be an incredibly tough sell to an already-unhappy fan base, as well as an unwise leap of faith.

If he plays and doesn’t want to stay a Sixer, they could just let him leave and sign with somebody else, then use the free agent money on a big man. The problem is Dwight Howard’s not coming here, and the Jazz’s Al Jefferson, while a scorer and good defensive rebounder, isn’t much of a shot-blocker or interior defender.

The pickings are pretty slim.

The other option would be sending Bynum to another team in a sign-and-trade deal, which would enable them to get a player or players back and Bynum to get his max money.

Exchanging Bynum for Howard would be great — and Bynum would undoubtedly love returning to the Lakers — but, again, why would Howard want to be a Sixer?