Josh Smith

[Radicalcliffe]

Josh Smith is a free agent next summer, what do you guys think of picking him up? I think he would be a great addition to the squad. It would keep us with a young group, plus add even more athleticism. I think he would be a great addition to play at the PF.

[psykosacul]

i think smith is the consolation prize in the brand sweepstakes. if im correct i dont think he has much post game, and thus is really just a PF because of his size. his rebounding has improved and i give him props for his steals and blocks, but do we really want two "stars" (iggy/smith) who dont have dominant offensive games, dont have go to moves, and have never carried a team?

also i really doubt atlanta lets him go. he is restricted and unless there is a rift between him and franchise i dont see why he wouldnt be back.

also, much like iguodala, i dont think he is worth the max, so you'de have to work against his contract demands and decide what he is really worth.

[Radicalcliffe]

I hear you, but I still think he could be a nice addition. I think he has a pretty dominant O-game, dunk machine. But he's also a superb defender, he averages nearly 3 blocks a game, etc. I also think like you said that Elton Brand would be a nice addition, but he's pretty old, I think we're trying to build for the future and get a young group of players.

Also, what do you guys think about the possibility of getting Amare? I think he would be exactly what we need, but I don't know if we have enough or be willing to give enough to get him. Maybe work out a three way deal or something? Post some ideas of how you think we could acquire him. Any other ideas? Post them, I want to see what you guys think our offseason plan will be like.

[psykosacul]

josh smith cant even average 20 pts. a game. he does not have a dominant offensive game.

amare is the future of phx when shaq and nash are gone. they arent letting him go.

brand is only 30. people act like he is 37.

im hoping our offseason plans include:

1. NOT overpaying iggy, at any cost (even losing him)
2. paying williams a reasonable amount but letting him go if some team is dumb and offers him too much
3. making a strong run at elton brand
4. exploring options to trade our pick, and various players, and cap space to land a super star

[IglooKing2]

I'm pretty ambivalent about Smith, particularly with regards to his offense. He doesn't have a traditional post-up game, and his jump-shooting can be streaky. Driving and finishing seem to be the only two ways that he consistently scores with high efficiency.

Also, with the Hawks having traded Shelden Williams, and not having a 1st-rounder this year, I think they have to commit to having Horford be their C, and Smith their PF. Throw in the fact that he's a fan favorite, and it would probably take a very generous offer for Smith to keep the Hawks from matching. At least unless he (ironically) pulls a Joe Johnson and tells the Hawks that he doesn't want to play for them.

On the other hand, I can see the Jazz trying to get rid of Kirilenko in a salary dump, especially with Williams becoming an RFA in '09. If the Sixers can get them to take Evans or Green as part of the deal, that's an idea worth looking at.

Between the Sixers' limited cap space, his career as a producer, and the Clippers both needing him and easily being able to afford him, I'm not holding out much hope for Brand, unless he pulls a Joe Johnson himself. The odds of getting Marion might be a little higher, if only because he's long been interested in being "the main man" somewhere. But even there, I suspect some kind of sign-and-trade would have to be worked out.

[Radicalcliffe]

I agree I think Brand would be the best pick up for us, but I was just throwing out Smith as an idea. I'd love to see Brand in a Sixers uniform but I think he is pretty committed to the Clippers. Amare, I think it could go in 2 ways. 1 Suns hold on to Amare as their future player, or 2 they let him go because 1 he might ask for a trade, because once Nash and Shaq are gone (soon) whose left to play with Amare? Or 2 the Suns might want a more expierienced player, to try to win within the next year. Basically what the Celtics did by moving Jefferson (their future player) for Garnett in order to win now, because Allen and Pierce will only be around for a little while longer (at a top level at least).

[dbodner]

I would have a ton of interest in Kirilenko if he becomes available. He's not a traditional PF, and won't force double teams, but he's a very good cutter offensively, and with Miller that's important. And forcing turnovers and running the break, a lineup of him, Dalembert, Thad and Iguodala would be incredible, and would be very good defensively as well.

[tk76]

I would take Josh Smith over AK47- and they will be making similar salaries.

[IglooKing2]

I'd be pleased with the Sixers getting Kirilenko as well. In addition to the things that you mentioned, he could also be useful in spacing the court and luring out the opponent's PF, which is something the Sixers can't do much of right now. Main concern's his contract. Hopefully, if a deal is made, the Sixers would get the Jazz to take back Evans or Green as part of it (Utah once showed an interest in Willie).

With Shaq in and Marion out, I don't see the Suns trading Amare this offseason, at least without getting a star PF back. Trading him for cap relief/prospects/picks would be tantamount to going into rebuilding and putting an end to championship aspirations for the Nash era.

[ankle420breaker]

Kirilenko is an interesting thought and one that we haven't brought up much. He's an unselfish player with a complete skill set... not to mention a tenacious defender. How desperate is Utah for cap relief? Desperate enough to part w Kirilenko?

[UptownPhilly]

If we moved Evans + Green for Kirilenko our lineup may look something like this next year:

Miller/Ollie
Iguodala/Williams
Young/Carney
Kirilenko/#16 Pick
Dalembert/Smith/Booth

We'll still need someone to play the post, but Kirilenko is definitely worth acquiring.

[CPops57]

I would have a ton of interest in Kirilenko if he becomes available. He's not a traditional PF, and won't force double teams, but he's a very good cutter offensively, and with Miller that's important. And forcing turnovers and running the break, a lineup of him, Dalembert, Thad and Iguodala would be incredible, and would be very good defensively as well.

I probably wouldn't make going after AK47 Plan A, but he'd be a great consolation prize if some more traditional star PF isn't obtainable.

His PPG numbers are likely never going to be freakishly high, but I think he impacts team success in so many little ways that he'd still be an amazing pickup for this team.

[IglooKing2]

How desperate is Utah for cap relief? Desperate enough to part w Kirilenko?

Maybe, if a prospect or pick is included. In addition to Williams being an RFA next year, Boozer's got a $12m option for '09 -'10 that he'll almost definitely be opting out of, in order to get a max deal. Throw in Okur and Korver's contracts, and they probably have to get rid of Kirilenko in order to avoid paying luxury tax. And of course, the guy's had his problems with Sloan.

[Radicalcliffe]

Kirilenko? I really don't like him, I think he would be a worse choice than Josh Smith. If you don't like the way Smith plays offense, your not getting anything better (maybe worse) with Kirilenko. Plus they'd both be wanting to get similar contracts.

[CPops57]

If you don't like the way Smith plays offense, your not getting anything better (maybe worse) with Kirilenko.

AK is a much more efficient scorer than Josh Smith.

Much more analysis should be done, but career percentages quickly paint a favorable picture for AK.

Smith

FG: 0.442
3P: 0.263
FT: 0.701


Kirilenko

FG: 0.468
3P: 0.310
FT: 0.763

[dbodner]

Yeah, their offensive games aren't comparable at all. Kirilenko gets the majority of his non-transition shots on cuts and slashing. Smith (unfortunately) takes the majority of his shots from the perimeter, even though he should be cutting/slashing.

[SendEm]

AK47 a few seasons ago was something special but he is a VERY soft player now especially since Baron Davis took his manhood on a national stage in the playoffs. I actually like Iggy as a SF over both AK47 and Josh Smith. Josh Smith has no legitimate PF ability.

[ProcessDoctor]

Smith would be nice, but I would really like Okafor on this team. He's similar to Dalembert/Evens, but better. He's like bizzarro Evans really with better shot blocking, rebounding, offense, and defense overall.

[Dedicated_76ers_fan]

Why don't you give Emeka Okafor some valuable comparison?

Ever heard of the name Charles Oakley? Yeah. Research that guy a bit. Despite his inconsistant minutes, Oakley was one of the NBA'S best at rebounding he was good for 14/11 on a nightly basis. Okafor has the block/defense ability that Oakley always wished for. He would've been in the hall with more minutes and if he could block a shot. If we get Okafor and Dalembert together at the 4/5, we become a tremendous defensive team with at least 95-105 PPG scoring as a team. I go with that.

[IglooKing2]

I doubt that Charlotte's letting Okafor go for a reasonable price. They've got a low payroll, and their interior play would be near NCAA levels if Okafor wasn't there. Also, Charlotte reportedly offered him $13m/year in October.