Andrew Bynum's Knee, Sasha Vujacic's Future Take Center Stage for Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers' center Andrew Bynum finally decided to have surgery to repair the torn meniscus in his knee, and the Lakers may finally have come to a conclusion about Sasha Vujacic's future with the team.

Bynum recently had successful arthroscopic surgery in New York for the right knee he injured during last season's playoffs, but that doesn't stop the question as to why he took so long to do it.

Bynum may have been fearful of going under the knife yet again, or he could have been basking in the glow of his second consecutive championship with the Lakers, but his timing was terrible.

Bynum's value to the Lakers has increased, especially since he stands as the primary foil to Miami's new super team, but most reports say he will be limited once training camp rolls around.

Bynum's decision to delay surgery reminds me of Shaquille O'Neal's choice to do the same during his time in Los Angeles, and his struggle to get in shape after the nominal procedure was done.

The Western conference will be tighter than ever this season, and a healthy Bynum is essential to getting the jump on what will be a very competitive group of teams seeking the Lakers' crown.

Furthermore, Bynum's presence gives the Lakers the NBA's tallest and most talented front line, and when paired with Pau Gasol, it is the one area where opposing defenses have no answer.

Bynum's development has progressed to the point he could arguably be called the league's most fundamentally gifted true center, but he runs the risk of another setback if he is not fully healed for training camp.

The addition of Theo Ratliff means that the Lakers can be more cautious with Bynum's rehab, in much the same manner they were when Gasol missed the first few weeks of the 2009-10 season.

But even though Ratliff can be a defensive force, he doesn't bring the same offensive dominance that Bynum is capable of, and Ratliff is nowhere near the same type of rebounder.

On a lesser, but just as interesting note, recent rumors have said the Lakers were in talks with the Minnesota Timberwolves in an effort to unload the guaranteed contract of under-performing shooting guard Sasha Vujacic.

Many Lakers' fans would welcome this move, but with recent reports linking Shannon Brown to the New York Knicks, the deal would leave Matt Barnes as the only back-up to Kobe Bryant.

The inquiries about Vujacic could be an attempt to clear up financial space in order to resign Brown, and this is actually the move which makes the most sense in terms of the Lakers' roster.

Brown is viewed as a much more important piece of the Lakers' bench than Vujacic, and he was one of the primary targets for general manager Mitch Kupchak in the offseason.

If the Lakers lose both Vujacic and Brown, it would likely mean that the Lakers are intent with starting the season with rookies Derrick Caracter and Devin Ebanks both on the roster.

Although both remain unsigned to the best of my knowledge, they remain the logical choices, especially when compared to Tracy McGrady, who has yet to make a decision about his own future.

Many Lakers' fans have hoped that Kupchak could convince McGrady to accept a lesser role with Los Angeles, but McGrady seems intent on proving he can still be a star player in the NBA.

In this instance, the Chicago Bulls would appear to be the more attractive destination for McGrady, because he has the chance to start immediately for the young Bulls, as well as assume the reins of leadership.

There is still a small sliver of hope that the Lakers could convince McGrady to come to Los Angeles, but that would likely depend on whether or not the Lakers can get the Brown and Vujacic situation cleared up before McGrady signs elsewhere.