Now that the Sixers have our attention again the question is what can be done to improve upon this season? There’s not much money to work with in regards to pursuing free agents. Only the hope that a player likes the path this team is on and wants to sign here. The possibility of moving picks and/or players to address needs is always an option, but do you really want to mess with the chemistry of 
a young team that is showing steady progression?
Let’s say the NBA gets their business in order and avoids a lockout – a salary cap of about $60-62 million seems to be likely. The Sixers are committed to $55 million with Spencer Hawes and Thaddeus Young as potential free agents. Both both qualifying offers are approximately $4 million each respectively, let’s say both players receive $8 million per ( Young more likely than Hawes) – this exceeds the hard cap which means that some movement will be likely.
What moves within the Sixers current salary structure would you make happen? You guys are the GMs and yes, thinking caps are needed for this one. Feel free to toss in a scenario.
There are needs at center, shooting guard and maybe another power forward – their ability to play defense would be an asset as well. These are just some names that I came across.
Free Agent Targets (sign and trade may be required in some cases):
1. Nene Hilario – (C) $11.3 million over 2 seasons (Early Termination
option)
2.Tyson Chandler – (C) $12 million final year (UR)
3. Caron Butler – (SG) $10.5 million final year (UR)
4. Shane Battier – (F) $7.3 million final year (UR)
5. Andrei Kirilenko – (F) $17 million final year (UR)
6. Glen Davis – (F) $3 million final year
7. Kenyon Martin – (F) $17 million final year (UR)
For the most part, I’m thinking in terms of frontcourt defensive help. These salaries are likely to decline if/when a new CBA is in place. I’m fully aware that a bona-fide scorer/closer is needed for the Sixers to really make a move in the Eastern Conference. I can’t see them going after a player like Rip Hamilton in a trade unless the Pistons eat about half of his remaining deal which is in the $17 million range.
Unless Andre Iguodala is dealt or someone is willing to take Elton Brand’s salary we’re probably going to have to develop that scorer from within, if that’s even possible in today’s NBA. Word is that rookie Evan Turner will be at Herb McGee’s shooting camp this summer which would help greatly if he’s dedicated to becoming a better player. The 2011-12 season is when we’ll know what we have in Turner.
I’m not looking to trade Iguodala at this point, largely because of his value as a defender, I wish that Doug Collins would put the ball in the hands of the point guard at the end of the game – I’m guessing that will come with Jrue Holiday’s maturation. If we could get a young low post presence in return for Elton Brand I would probably be on board with it – but we would be losing the leader of this team. IMHO, Brand was worth every dime this season, his work ethic and leadership were priceless.
I’m not sure what lies ahead for the Sixers, but I’m confident with Rod Thorn in the chair that whatever is done will be well thought out before it’s done.
I’d love to get Glen Davis from the Celts, but I don’t think Boston let’s him go. Krstic had a couple really good games, but Davis got the nod when he got back from injury. The only other name I liked up there was Nene, but he reminds me of another Dalembert. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or bad thing, though.
Thanks for reading Casper, I think Nene is a step up from Sammy, for one he stays in the game and two he has good hands and some low post presence. I had Kristic on my list but I think the C’s keep him instead of J.O’Neal.
Look around the NBA, it is very weak and thin in quality depth along the Frontline ..
Quality and depth are thin across the board, my issue is for this team to not dig themselves into a hole like they did with the contracts of Brand and Iguodala. Alot of those contracts I listed will be half that next season. I’m looking to give this team some defensive toughness down low and some guys that will hit the glass. And of course another scorer (my lips to God’s ears)
Honestly there developing very well as we can see. I would not be suprised if the sixers were to trade Turner either in the offseason or during next season before the trade deadline if he doesn’t show significant improvement. He needs 3-4 years to develop but I don’t knoe if there is a place for him on this roster because they have other guys that do what he does. They may trade him for a center and a few picks. But if he improves his jumper and 3pt shot then they will keep him . But we ll c I could be wrong.
The sixers obviously need better play at the C position. Spencer hawes is only 23 so he still has room to grow and can develop into a very solid player. Being that he can shoot the 3 and has a good jumper he ll probably be in the long term plans with the sixers. But offense isn’t the issue they need a more defensive presence down low. Oden this offseason is a option, chandler, okafor guys who can defend the basket and put fear in guys who drive to the basket.
Depending on how much success they have in the playoffs, if positive, they may attract some FAs here who wanna play with this squad. But we will see these are all my thoughts
The sixers need to simply add the mid-level exception and draft pick. They shouldn’t trade a core player and no one is going to take Brand’s contract. As an Orthopedic surgeon I was appalled at Brand’s signing. An achilles tendon rupture in a 30 year old is worse than a ACL. They got REALLY bad advice, and Brand wasn’t a max contract difference maker BEFORE the injury. I want him on my roster but NOT at that salary. They should wait out his deal at this point, and avoid whatever Stefanski was smoking when he signed him.
evan turner is ready to go the problem is he is a pg, and for some reason i cant explain the sixers are in love with holiday. turner should have started at the pg this yr he gets to the rim at will
jrue doesnt play pg in 4th cause he cant beat any1 off the dribble and even if he does he doesnt finish at the rim period
we r what we r a 4 to 6 seed for the next few yrs
our only chance to be a real contender is pray the teams better than us fall off the map
Rastadoc – I can go with the mid-level and a pick. Not sure who the mid-level players will be but in terms of the draft I’m willing to go with a foreign big that can come in now and play. If not, one of the Morris twins should be available.
How about looking into acquiring PF David West from the Hornets who are struglling financially, I am not sure what his Contract Status is,but I have always liked his game and would be a great prescence on the Front Line.
Then Draft a tough-nosed Guard who can defend and then add a pure spot-up 3-Point Shooter and they would be ready to compete
As Far as being a #4-#6 contendor for the next 4-6 years,, Celtics are on the way down, Hawks on their way down and who knows about the Heat and Knicks who don’t have a lot of young talent..
You are aware that West blew his knee out last week?
I was not aware Ron,
Maybe the Eagles should pick him up as a DE or TE then….
One of the more underrated players in the NBA, I always liked his game.