The Philadelphia 76ers are facing an offseason in which they will have to make some difficult decisions in order to improve a team that nearly won two rounds in this year’s postseason. General manager Rod Thorn’s options to improve the team are limited, and the Sixers may not be able to dramatically improve their roster over the summer. He’ll need to make decisions on a number of key members from this year’s team, and here are a few predictions on how I see things playing out.
1. Andre Iguodala Will Remain A Sixer
Before the playoffs began, I thought there was a strong possibility that this would be the year that the Sixers finally move on from Iguodala. However, after their deep run in the playoffs, I don’t see the Arizona product taking up a new address next season. The eight-year veteran has always been overvalued by the Philadelphia front office, and after the role he played in this year’s postseason, I feel that the team will be more attached to him than ever. The Sixers have put a very high value on Iggy’s defensive skills, and unless a scenario opens up that will land them a star that is a clear upgrade, he’s is going to stay put for at least another season.
2. The Sixers Will Lose Some Key Contributors
The Sixers could have a significantly different roster next season from what they finished with this year. Lou Williams is set to opt out of his contract and become a free agent, Elton Brand is a candidate to be traded or amnestied, and Spencer Hawes also has an expiring contract.
I think Williams and Hawes are as good as gone. The Sixers won’t want to commit big contracts to either player. Williams likely wants a big contract, and an opportunity for a role larger than that of a sixth man.
Hawes has great offensive skills, but his poor health and soft defensive presence will prevent the Sixers from committing to him for the long-term, especially with a pair of talented prospects in Lavoy Allen and Nik Vucevic waiting for their opportunities for larger roles.
Elton Brand is on the last year of a five-year contract. The former Clipper has been solid, but unspectacular in his first four seasons with the team. The Sixers could try to move him and his expiring contract to another playoff-caliber team in a trade to bring in a couple of fresh pieces, or they could use the NBA’s amnesty clause on him to free up salary cap space to allow them to take a run at a free agent.
3. The Sixers Will Not Make A Big Move To Improve The Team
Unless general manager Rod Thorn has a major surprise up his sleeve, the Sixers will hard-pressed to upgrade their roster this summer. Even with a couple of big salaries coming off of the books, the team won’t be serious players for any of the few big-name free agents. They’ve got no shot to land Deron Williams, Steve Nash, Kevin Garnett, or Tim Duncan. The best available unrestricted free agents that the team would have a reasonable chance to sign are Gerald Wallace and Chris Kaman, but neither of those two would be worth handing a big-time contract to. The only improvements the Sixers make will be through the draft, as well as some minor free agency moves.
Package Iggy,Thadd Young and to the Lakers for Pau Gasol and Devin Eubanks, then Draft a real PF in the Draft like one of the following players who could be still on the Draft Board come the 76ers Pick. I would re-sign Lou Williams (not to crazy $$$) and let Brand/Hawes Go
Terrance Jones – PF Kentucky 6-8 244lbs
Arnett Moultrie – PF Miss State 6-11 225lbs
John Henson – PF UNC 6-10 210 lbs
Then Sign a pure 3 Pt Sharp Shooter…
Next’ years Starting Line-up could be
PG – Holliday
SG – E Turner
SF – D Eubanks
PF – L Allen
C – P Gasol
Bench Depth
Guards – Lou WIlliams, Jodie Meeks, and a pure shooting 3 PTFree-Agnet
Forwards – Draft choice from above and Sam Young and a Free-Agent
Center – Vucevic and L Allen
The more research i do about this team and what DougC and the front office is saying, it seems to me that the only safe player is Jrue holiday and maybe Lavoy Allen. It doesnt sound good for everyone else and that includes Evan Turner who i get the feeling is not a player the sixers want to keep, Doug isnt a fan at all and i think they will be looking to see what teams will offer for him. Dre is a given, of course theyll be shopping him. But not for a 32 33 yr old player in Pau Gasol, not gonna happen. If anyone it would be for Bynum. And Thad is someone who will be back too bc of his versatility and punch off the bench and they just gave him a 5yr deal. And this front office will not trade two iff there defensive stoppers/wing/most versatile players Dre and Thad for an old Pau Gasol and devin eubanks. It wouldnt make sense and it wont happen. They could sign kris Humphries whos a PF and certainly an upgrade from Brand who should be amnestied, and could go after a Chris kaman whos a center an a upgrade from hawes. I also like both Javale McGee and Roy Hibbert but both are restricted and will be difficult to get. Or they may stash cash and use it for next years free agency with players like Al Jefferson, paul milsap, andrew bynum, dwight howard, dajuan blair, emeka okafor
The more research i do about this team and what DougC and the front office is saying, it seems to me that the only safe player is Jrue holiday and maybe Lavoy Allen. It doesnt sound good for everyone else and that includes Evan Turner who i get the feeling is not a player the sixers want to keep, Doug isnt a fan at all and i think they will be looking to see what teams will offer for him. Dre is a given, of course theyll be shopping him. But not for a 32 33 yr old player in Pau Gasol, not gonna happen. If anyone it would be for Bynum. And Thad is someone who will be back too bc of his versatility and punch off the bench and they just gave him a 5yr deal. And this front office will not trade two iff there defensive stoppers/wing/most versatile players Dre and Thad for an old Pau Gasol and devin eubanks. It wouldnt make sense and it wont happen. They could sign kris Humphries whos a PF and certainly an upgrade from Brand who should be amnestied, and could go after a Chris kaman whos a center an a upgrade from hawes. I also like both Javale McGee and Roy Hibbert but both are restricted and will be difficult to get. Or they may stash cash and use it for next years free agency with players like Al Jefferson, paul milsap, andrew bynum, dwight howard, dajuan blair, emeka okafor…
David west and josh smith. So there are alot more options next year than this year at pf and center. As for scoring, they will address that aggressively this off season. There are scorers like Nick Young (could be lou williams replacement) who can flat out score the ball, Gerald wallace, deron williams, steve novak, jr smith, marco belineli, josh howard and Jamal crawford. They have plenty of options for scoring. I believe they can go a few different directions overall this offseason, i dont think there limited as to what they can do, they just have to make the right moves
Many changes, have to happen, for this team, to even sniff elite status, in the top of the league. In no way, shape, or form, do I want anymore AARP stiffs & other teams retreds & cast-offs. That means, HELL NO, to Gasol & Bynum. Bynum has been a bust his entire career, & only had a decent year, because it was a contract year. My wish list–
1- AMNESTY Brand.
2- Trade Stinky to Hawks, for Josh Smith.
3- Make a contract offer to RFA C Roy Hibbert, if not C Javalle McGee.
4- Sign SG Jason Terry to replace Lou Will.
5- Sign PF Ryan Anderson.
6- Sign SG Courtney Lee.
7- Sign PG Jameer Nelson.
8- Sign PF Reggie Evans.
Starters- Jrue, Lee, Thadd, Smith/Anderson, Hibbert/McGee.
Bench- Nelson, Terry, Turner, Allen, Vuch, Evans, draft pick PF & C.
BIGGER, TOUGHER, BETTER BENCH, BETTER SHOOTERS, MORE ATHLETIC. Instant contenders.
Please get off of this Gasol bandwagon. No more AARP players! No more retreds, cast-offs & throw aways. Atlanta needs a SF & have 2 good PF’s in Josh Smith & Al Horford. Smith has wore out his welcome & wants to be traded. It makes perfect sense. Thorn, that old waste, better not sit on freaking his again, & better get creative. They better not let the illusion of this year, delude them into thinking, that they are better than they are. Because they need a 4, a 5, a true scoring SG & a backup SG & PG. Also Brand & Stinkadala need to go bye- bye.
hey paul, maybe they could throw in parker…. i mean… Tapp too? lol
Steve, Bunk & Patterson too. LMFAO!!!
Sorry Paul, I had too. Couldn’t resist.
Devin Eubanks?!!!
Do you guys want to win a championship, or are you still enamored by names that really don’t bring anything to the 76ers that improves the team anymore than what we already have….To suggest Eubanks, Gasol, and Reggie Evans does not show much insight for improvement………
I do like the idea of playing Ryan Anderson at the 3. I again would make a 3 way deal sending Igoudala, and Meeks, and a 2nd Rd pick to the Lakers, Gasol, Eubanks, a 2nd round pick next year from the Sixers, and the Lakers #1 pick to the Blazers, and the Sixers getting LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden, Nicolas Batum, and one of the Blazers #1 picks this year.
If we can afford Jason Terry…..Great! We get a shooter, and veteran leadership. I would also try to get the rights of Donatas Montejunas from Houston, for more size, and more outside shooting off the bench.
In the draft I get Jeremy Lamb 6-5 SG, and defensive prowess, Arnett Moultrie,6-11 PF/SF, or Jared Sullinger 6-10 280lbs, in the 1st round and Royce White 6-9 249lb SF/PF, Iowa State – Athletic, can handle the ball, and a rebounding machine, in the 2nd Round
G – Jrue Holiday 6-4
G – Evan Turner 6-6
C – JaVale McGhee 7-0
F – LaMarcus Aldridge 6-11
F- Ryan Anderson 6-9
G – Jason Terry 6-5
G – Jeremy Lamb 6-5
C – Nick Vucevic 7-0
F – Lavoy Allen 6-9
F – Thaddeus Young 6-8
G – Andre Miller 6-3
G – John Jenkins 6-4
G/F- Nicolas Batum 6-8
F – Arnett Moultrie 6-10, or Jared Sullinger 6-10
F – Royce White 6-9
F/C – Donatas Montejunas 7-0
C- Greg Oden 7-0
Remember GM Greg Oden is a free agent and will be very cheap. Also, how would we get LAldridge? I dont see the blazers getting rid of there franchise player. Theyll hold on to him
And GM were on the same page with devin eubanks, paul has no idea what hes talking about… As for the draft, idk what direction theyll go, we gotta see what they do in free agency but i like the docs son Austin Rivers, he got game and may turn into a derek rose type. He may be the pick at 15..
Jon Hart, I don’t think we would be able to get up high enough to get him. My evaluation of him is he should have stayed in school for 2 more years. He’s like Evan Turner, he can do amazing things with the ball, but he can’t shoot. Jrue is our PG, so I think we need more veteran leadership. Andre Miller, and Jason Terry would be great additions to give him what he needs.
In reference to LaMarcus Aldridge. My opinion has more to do with the fact that he doesn’t want to be there anymore. They are rebuilding, and doesn’t want to be a part of it.
I would take Devin Eubanks and his upside any day of the Week over Thadd Young..I jjust don’t see any type of game from TY, in fact, I think he’s regressed a little bit in each of the last 2 Season..
Paul, you are my main man, but you are crazy if you think Eubanks, is better than Thaddeus Young.
How many points did Eubanks average? Thad was third on the team in scoring while coming off the bench, and is developing into a defensive stopper. You must be mad young man.
Doug Collins has Thad playing PF, he is a natural SF, and has yet to tap into his potential in that role full time.
Gm, On many draft boards so far they have Austin Rivers not in the top 10, i saw a few with him at 15 to the sixers. Hes not a pg, duke coach mike k tried to make him one but thats not his natural position. His style is similar to that of Russell Westbrook/DWade, a slasher with incredible athleticism. He shoots better than all the guys we have, and isnt afraid to take the final shot. Id plug him at SG. He is already very familiar with Doug Collins because Doug’s son Chris is an assistant coach at duke (Chris is who i think will take over as Head Coach of the Sixers once doug retires from coaching and is elevated to the front office, hes a Sixer for life, you heard it here first). But there is alot of familiarity there. So hes someone I would target in the draft. I like him now more than i do Evan Turner. Thats why i think they may be looking for a trade partner for Evan Turner, they need a flat out scorer at SG.
Problem with that GM is that Thadd Young cannot shoot the ball with any kind of consistency with any kind of range, which is why he gget’s stuck playing at PF where he simply is not big enough/strong enough to post anyone up down in the box.. He’s a fish out of water and has no real spot on the floor to play anymore than a 10-14 minute a game role…
JH – Thats what the problem is when it comes to draft picks, they are whats fresh and new, and we tend to overlook their overall weaknesses. HE IS A POINT GUARD ONLY in the pros. He is not a better shooter, or basketball player than Evan Turner, which is why he should have stayed in school. My choice for SG is Jeremy Lamb from UConn, he’s 6-5, can handle the ball to create his own shot, and plays extremely good defense. Rivers is not a flat out scorer. He is still learning the game. Don’t get so enamored with the so called new, and improved my brother.
@ Paul – Thad can shoot the ball. 4 years ago, before he was injured, he led the team in scoring, and his jump shot was consistant. But when Doug Collins became the coach he got the bright idea to make him a PF to create a mismatch against slower PF’s, and he was told not to concentrate on his outside shot. If you put him in a shooting contest against Igoudala he would win. He’s a better outside shooter than Igoudala, but Collins insisted on Igoudala to shoot the ball; Thad may have done better. Igoudala is more inconsistant than Thad is. But he can shoot the ball. You’ll see that even more so when Igudala isn’t here anymore.
I still would try to sign Ryan Anderson, he’s bigger, and an inch taller than Thad, and he IS a better shooter than Thad, which give the Sixers something they haven’t had for some time…….a legitmate outside threat.
He gets stuck playing PF, because the Sixers are to stubbon to recognize that they need more size, and talen at that position. A legitamate low post presence would have helped them in the playoffs.Who else do thay have to play PF, besides Brand(who Collins knows is done), Thaddeus, and Lavoy Allen – and even he is out of position playing center………a 6-9 center!!! – Craig Brackins?
GM, Rivers is the type that can create his on shot. He is a scorer. Hes somewhat of a streaky shooter but he can improve. He probably should stay in school another yr or 2 but by then he’d most likely be in the top 3 of the draft. I say bring him in for a draft workout and see what got.
My question is, why wait, and draft someone who isn’t ready when we are in a position to draft someone who is in Lamb?He’s bigger, a better defender, and a much better, and consistant shooter.
I agree he definitely has potential, I don’t doubt that. I doubt that he will be better than his father, who was an all star, but not of the elite all stars. I think of Tony Parker when I think of him. The Sixers need something different. If they were thinking of getting rid of Jrue Holiday, then I would think it would be more priority to draft him, as an offensive minded point guard which is what he is. We need a legitimate outside shooter, that plays defense. I think Jeremy Lamb is the answer there, and I feel Ryan Anderson, is the free agent that we need to fill that 3 spot as a outside threat.
GM, I do like Jeremy Lamb, Lamb can ball. How about SF/PF Terrance Jones from Kentucky? I really like this kid, hes gonna be good on any team he plays for, hes 6’9 but doesnt play like it, he plays like a SG and is aggressive really attack the rim, I also like Terrence Ross from Washington hes 6’7 and can defend, very athletic, and can shoot the ball. Reminds me of a young Eddie Jones. I like Jones and Ross as guys we should target along with Rivers.. What do you think of Jones and Ross?
I like Ross more than Jones. I think Ross is going to be a star. Jones needs a supporting cast, because he is nice but not special – to me- For the Sixers, though, Ross will be there towards the end of the 1st round. But he is a lot like Thaddeus Young. Do we need another Thad? We need low post, size, defense, and rebounding.
JH, are you drawing your insight on these guys from nba.net? Some of your evaluations sound like what I read on there over the past few months. Take a look at the scouting reports on Arnett Moultrie, and Royce White. They are closer to what we need. Moultrie can score as well.
Nicolas Batum, is a poor man’s Andre Igoudala, but a better shooter, and scorer. If you note my trade senario above, having Batum eliminates the need to draft Jones, or Ross, and Lamb at this point is a better prospect than Rivers.
Paul, stick to Baseball & Football. Eubanks IS NOT BETTER than Thadd.
GMCliff, I love Aldridge too, but as I told you before, we ain’t getting him & where did you here about him wanting to be traded? He is under contract until 2014/2015 for over $13M-$15,200,000M. So don’t give the nonsense again, of him wanting a long term contract. Where did you hear this stuff? I want to see. I haven’t see that anywhere. He’s also coming off of labral hip surgery & possibly won’t be ready for camp. Also, how can Batum be a poor man’s Stinkadala, if he is a better shooter/ scorer? WTF are you talking about today? Are you prescribing to Paulman’s meds? LOL!!! GM, what do you think about Moultrie? Kind of reminds me of a prototypical PF. I think he would be a perfect fit. He’s big & solid built, bangs the boards with the big boys, rebounds, & is a solid, improving scorer. SG Dion Waiters, Terrence Ross. All three should be there & would be instant help, IMHO. Would you?
I believe Eubanks has higher upside than Thadd Young who has peaked and would be willing to take my chances with him over Thadd Young
DCar – I never said he was looking for a long term contract. What nonsense? He is on record saying that he would much rather not be apart of a rebuilding project. Which translated means he would much rather be somewhere else. Him being injured may play a role in this being possible as well. They have two 1st round picks, and two 2nd round picks, and two 1st round picks next year. By the time those prospects develop, and gel into a championship caliber team, he feels that opportunities to win a championship will have passed him by.
Batum is a poor mans Stinkadala (LOL!!), in the sense that he is defensive minded, but not the highlight reel he is, because he more of an outside shooter than transition dunker, which is why people like Igoudala. You know how I feel about Igoudala; that wasn’t meant as a compliment at all, but it was intended to ease the concerns of those who are afraid we will lose that defensive presence in Igoudala.
Moultrie, is a player. I want him to be a Sixer. I like Ross, but to me he is a lot like Thad. I’m not high on Dion Waiters at all. I want to get one of the Blazers 1st rounders; we need a shooter to back up Evan Turner, who needs to learn how to shoot. My choice is Jeremy Lamb 6-5, shoots the lights out, defensive minded who can step in if Turner doesnt improve.
Paul – We agree to disagree………I dont think Eubanks will be much more than what he already is. Thad IS improved, and will improve even more so with Igoudala gone. Remember Thad came out a year removed from high school. If he had stayed in school, he would have been the #1 pick in the draft his senior year. Considering that he’s more improved than Igoudala, who never improved. You know I respect your opinions, but with this, I just know your mistaken.
DCar good hearing from you brother!!!
Moultrie also is kind of a tweener because he played SF at UTEP, before transfering to Mississippi State. He put on some weight. but he may need more to be a prototypical PF. Right now he’s kind of a skinny PF. Jared Sullinger, is a Proto-typical NBA PF.
GM, I remember the discussion we had a month, or so ago, & you did say he wanted to leave, because he wanted a long term contract, until pointed out how many years he had left, then you changed it to him unhappy with the rebuilding process. LMFAO!!! But I digress. I love Aldridge & Josh Smith, & if it very possible to get either of them I would drive Stinkadala there. I’d take a rack of basketballs, for him at this point. That overrated, freaking fraud, can’t be gone fast enough, for me. I like Moultrie alot. Damn 6’11” at SF, I didn’t know that. I thought he strictly played the 4 & 5. Ross is better offensively, than Thadd. Unless we move up, or get another 1st in a trade, Sullinger ain’t going to be there. Going to be an interesting off-season. Hopefully theirs & the Flyboys, is as good as the Eagles was.
It’s ok to disagree GMCliff, I enjoy your insights..
I just don’t see much growth/upside in TY’s Game to get me excited about now after playing 4 Years in the NBA.. Yes he was stud in High-School as most of these players were, but to be honest, that really means little once you hit the Pro’s,,. Let’s see where Devin Banks is in 2 more NBA Seasons to match TY 4 Years in the NBA and we’ll make a comparison then…Banks is a natural shooter & scorer and Thadd Young is not
That was my point Paul. The year Eubanks was drafted would have been Thad’s senior year. He was drafted on the back end of the 1st round….Thad would have been the #! pick in that draft
I have not seen the improvement from TY in his 4 Years as an NBA player..
If anything, I think he took a step backwards this Season.. I expected a much better, polished play by now for a 4 Year Vet who has actually played and gotten minutes in his Sixer Career so far..
Basketball is the sport that I watch the least. At least NBA bball, but the Sixers have to many tweeners who are out of position. Iggy, Young, Turner. They don’t have anyone on the team that can shoot except Lou and he doesn’t ever stop shooting.
They need to start drafting/acquiring guys that have a defined position. Get a shooter and ditch Brand’s contract. Also, they need to figure out what to do with Turner. Can he co-exist and succeed with Holiday?
Paul that is a direct result from how Collins want to play him……To me he was better 3 years ago.
Well if Collins is here to stay awhile and TY doesn’t fit his system, then you move him correct?? Just like the Eagles moving CB Samuel who doesn’t fit there new press-man coverage schemes..
I didn’t say he didn’t fit; we know he fits, he was their leading scorer on many nights even though they have no plays drawn up for him coming off the bench. His game is the way it is because Collins limits him. Thad would start on every team in the league exept the Sixers. The same cannot be said of Devin Eubanks. Igoudala doesn’t fit, because he stunts the growth of the younger players while the Front Office insist they have a superstar in someone thats limited offensively. Thad is not the problem. The analogy with Asante doesn’t apply.
BTW, You still the man Paul………In my opinion brother, along with Navy, Jon Hart, DCar, Greenfan, Frank, and Lionsden.