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Lakers sign center Bynum to four-year extension

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-22 11:47

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Lakers have given center Andrew Bynum with a new four-year contract, keeping him with the team through 2013.

Los Angeles Lakers Andrew Bynum (L) goes up to shoot past Portland Trail Blazers Joel Przybilla during the first half of their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles, October 28, 2008. [Agencies]

The deal, announced on the team's website on Thursday, is worth around $58 million according to the Los Angeles Times -- close to the maximum five-year deal the Lakers could offer.

"This cements my future with the Lakers, which in my opinion is the best organization in all of sports," Bynum told reporters. "I couldn't be happier."

Bynum, 21, is coming off a breakout season in which he averaged 13.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and shot a league-best 63.6 percent from the field in 35 games before a season-ending knee injury.