Despite a growing belief among 76ers fans that Andrew Bynum, in the last year of his contract, may never play for the team, Bynum does not see that happening.

“No, it never crossed my mind,” said Bynum, seated in front of his locker stall Monday before the Sixers faced Detroit. “It is obviously a possibility, but it really depends on what my doctor tells me. If my left knee gets better and starts to feel like my right knee, I’ll be playing.”

Bynum is scheduled to see his personal orthopedist, David W. Altchek, on Dec. 20 as he recovers from bone bruises and weakened cartilage in both knees. The center has not practiced or played for the Sixers since they acquired him in August.

“Worst-case scenario, it’s another month,” Bynum said. “Best-case scenario, I can ramp it up.”

“If these were the finals and it could be about me helping this team, then I’m going to play, because that is serious time,” he said. “You want to be a part of that. But I don’t think right now would be a good time to risk anything. Why risk it when you have time to come back and be 100 percent?”

via John N. Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer