Cavaliers offer center Andrew Bynum two-year deal

Andrew Bynum has a new team waiting for him.

The enigmatic free-agent center, who didn’t play a single second for the Philadelphia 76ers last season because of knee injuries, is mulling a two-year offer from the Cleveland Cavaliers, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press on Tuesday.

Cleveland made the offer, which includes a team option in the second year, during his visit to the Cavaliers’ facility Monday. Bynum did not work out, but the team examined him thoroughly.

The person with knowledge of the negotiations spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks. Yahoo Sports first reported Cleveland’s offer and said it was worth $24 million.

The 25-year-old Bynum had arthroscopic surgery on both knees in March, but the Cavaliers apparently are confident he will return to the form that made him one of the NBA’s best centers.

They’re also counting on his thriving under Cleveland Coach Mike Brown, who has returned to the Cavaliers after being fired three years ago. Brown and Bynum spent one season together with the Lakers and the 7-footer had his best year, averaging 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds. Over the last four seasons, Bynum has averaged 14.7 points and 9.5 rebounds.

Cleveland has competition in its pursuit of Bynum, who was scheduled to meet with the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday and is expected to visit the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.

Rockets fined

The Houston Rockets talked too much, too soon about Dwight Howard.

A league spokesman confirmed the team and its personnel were fined $150,000 by the NBA for comments made about the All-Star center during the moratorium.

Howard committed to leave the Lakers and join the Rockets on Friday, and Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey gave an interview later that night with Comcast SportsNet Houston in which he talked about the recruitment and landing of him. Coach Kevin McHale also discussed Howard over the weekend at the Orlando Summer League.

Though free agency opened July 1, deals can’t become official until Wednesday, after the 2013-14 salary cap is set.

Bucks trade Mbah a Moute

The Milwaukee Bucks traded forward Luc Mbah a Moute to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for a 2016 second-round draft pick, a person familiar with the deal said.

The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because teams can’t confirm moves until Wednesday, also said Milwaukee has the right to swap 2018 second-round picks.

Mbah a Moute, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward, has emerged as a standout defender since he was drafted 37th overall from UCLA by the Bucks in 2008. He has averaged 6.9 points and 5.3 rebounds in 25.1 minutes per game in his career.

Etc.

The Clippers waived forward DaJuan Summers, although he will play for the team’s entry in the Las Vegas Summer League. ... Free-agent guard Devin Harris is headed back to the Dallas Mavericks, nine years after starting his career with them as a high draft pick. ... A person familiar with the deal said that the Detroit Pistons have agreed to a $3.5-million, two-year contract with Luigi Datome, who is from Italy. ... The Golden State Warriors reached agreements with guard Toney Douglas and center Jermaine O’Neal on free-agent deals, a person with knowledge of the situation said.