Summer Splash?

[76ciology]

LOOL, you think ED is going to give up Thaddeus Young? And theres a difference between a bold step, and a completely illogical one. Artest is a headcase, who offers no security to the team. Brand has injury issues that may never go away. Sure they have quite a few years in their prime, I would say, 2-3, but, its not like we've been mired in the cellar of the NBA. There is no need for such a drastic measure just so we can have 2-3 years of being a contender. Its not like this team doesn't have any chemistry either. The celtics, were the laughing stock of the NBA. They were constantly getting blown out game after game, simultaneously wasting what little window they had with Paul Pierce.

Yeah, I think Ed would give up Thaddeus Young if it means making this team into an instant contender in the league. What has Thaddeus Young shown so far that has made him untouchable? We're acquiring an all-star PF in Elton Brand, a 20ppg 12rpg and 2bpg player. Which, IMO, is the only all-star PF in the league that is available with such package.

Artest WAS a headcase. Were paying a good price with the acquisition of Artest. Well, if you still doesn't convince you yet, then ship Carney, Willie Green and Utah's 1st for Mike Miller instead.

The reason with these trades is that I don't think that the Sixers and how they are reluctant to take sacrifices like "tanking", would make them able to go distance with this team. Even with the prized FA, IF EVER (that is if other teams would cap space wouldn't land a prized FA), we would acquire in the summer, it's most likely that we'd still don't have enough fire power to contend with the best of the bests in the league. And with Ed Stefanski's hints of Andre Miller being "not available for trade talks" and Iguodala being "an asset", then maybe the scenario I proposed is the kind of GM move he might make to help this team escape its state of mediocrity.

[eyeatoma]

Yeah, I think Ed would give up Thaddeus Young if it means making this team into an instant contender in the league. What has Thaddeus Young shown so far that has made him untouchable?

As a 19 year old, Thaddeus already plays above average defense. He has a nose for the ball, and IMO, has the ability to average 8+ boards a game, which should come with more experience and consistency. He already has a excellent feel for the game, and just has the ability to make the right plays time and again. In the last 10-12 games, I think Thaddeus has only shot below 50% in 1 or 2 games. Combined with increased minutes, this is quite impressive. His low post game is already advanced beyond his years, and as he grows older, he'll become more perimeter oriented, and start stroking the three as well. If, he can grow an inch or two, he could be our answer at PF, given his touch around the rim. Besides Al Horford, and Kevin Durant, I think Thaddeus has the most potential among any of the rookies in this class.

We're acquiring an all-star PF in Elton Brand, a 20ppg 12rpg and 2bpg player. Which, IMO, is the only all-star PF in the league that is available with such package.

If we were to acquire Brand, we also run the risk of taking on a player who could get injured again. We don't know how long its going to take him, to get back to his old self, and if that will ever happen. He's already 30 years old, and given that the average of our players is about 25, I don't see any reason to mortgage the future, just so we can say we used our cap space this summer.

Artest WAS a headcase. Were paying a good price with the acquisition of Artest.

Artest may play well for 2 or 3 months, but in the end issues will always arise with him. He's incredibly unpredictable, he may not create problems on the court, but he might have off court issues as well. Whats the guarantee that Artest will stick around for more than 2 years? You want to give up on Louis Williams, and Thad, just so we can call ourselves contenders??

Well, if you still doesn't convince you yet, then ship Carney, Willie Green and Utah's 1st for Mike Miller instead.

Yes, this I would do in an instant!

But as far as Brand and Artest go, we would have taken on 3 players (when including miller) who have already entered their primes, or will be leaving it shortly. All 3 players have question marks...

I'd much rather wait it out, try to land someone this summer with the money we have, or combine a couple of the young players, namely (Carney/Smith/Green) along with the capspace to grab an Allstar. If we can't do that, we should just wait and see. There is no rush. Our situation isn't so hopeless that we need to mortgage the future to have any chance of being competitive. Now if this were the Knicks, I would be all for your plan.

[The Guilty Party]

Not that I believe there's a chance that he comes here... but can someone clarify something for me? I recall there being some very mild rumors of "Chris Bosh to the Lakers" rumors in the past. Were those rumors before or after he signed his extension???

[CPops57]

I worry more about the future than the present and generally favor rebuilding, but I think a GM can't ignore an opportunity to immediately transform a team into a legit contender either.

If a hypothetical scenario where the Sixers can add two guys like Brand and Artest while maintaining the core veteran group occurs, I think the GM should take it.

That being said, nobody should worry because this is pretty unlikely to happen.

[The Guilty Party]

Am I the only one hoping to see Phoenix lose and lose often for the rest of the year? What happens if the Suns are swept out of the playoffs in the first round? Shaq will most likely be untradeable and I doubt they move Nash so perhaps Amare becomes available again. I think it's our only hope of getting a premiere PF unless something happens in Toronto and they decide to move Bosh.

[sec-106]

I have a lot of faith is ES.

The deals to get Dr. Funk+Jefferson were fantastic. And it shows that he understands that you need a "1" to win.

Overlooked in the KK deal is the fact that if a true top level player becomes available (Amare, Boozer, Dirk), the Sixers can trade picks in 3 straight years (PHI 2008, UTAH 2009, PHI 2010), which may turn out to be huge.

And I, too, am rooting against the Suns for the same reason.

[Skates]

Our cap space is only 10 million counting Iggy and Lou's cap holds at what 8.5 and 1.5 for each?

So if we have to pay Iggy over 8.5 million say 10 million and we have to pay Lou like 4 million does that reduce that 10 million cap space down to 6 million?

I keep hearing in the Philly media how the Sixers will be players in free agency this summer. If they only have that 6 million after signing Lou and Iggy then 6 million is barely above the MLE.

They should have dumped some more salary at the deadline IMO.

I did not see this answered, if it was I missed it. The Sixers will have 10 million to play with until they sign Iguodala and Williams. That means they need to use the cap space up first in FA or trade or most likely a sign and trade which makes our cap space even bigger. That may be a way to get a RFA like Biedrins perhaps. Add Reggie Evans and Carney to our cap space and we are close to max contract space wise for a trade.

Once all or most of the cap space is used up, then you resign Iggy and Williams and can go over the cap because we hold their Bird rights.

We are not getting a top three pick in the draft this year absent a miracle, but the more I watch him the more I believe we already picked up a future franchise player with the 12th pick in the draft this year. Thad has all the ability and work ethic in the world to at least be as good as Paul Pierce, not LeBron or Kobe level, but more of a Chris Bosh level superstar in time.

[dbodner]

Ed Stefanski's statement and belief of Andre Miller as being an untouchable player on the Sixers seems confusing

He's repeatedly said that nobody's untouchable.

I've been a "pro-Iguodala" poster for quite a while, and actually think Iguodala/Young can be successful as a 2/3 combo. That being said, we've played our way out of getting that franchise level PF prospect in the draft, and I don't think that players going to be available for $10 million this offseason.

You build dynasties around a dominant big. If I had to wager a guess, I'd say there isn't a big splash this offseason. Maybe something along the lines of a Calderon. But if one splash had to be made, I'd say something along the lines of Iguodala + our pick + something else for a potential superstar 4 would be most likely.

[freshie2]

What potential superstar PFs are available that you would be willing to deal Iguodala+08 #1 and something else?? Amare, Jefferson and Howard aren't going anywhere. Bosh? Aldridge? What other young PF is left...I'm probably missing some, but are any others worth Iguodala and a #1?

I'm not opposed to trading Iguodala for the right player, but I don't know that there are any quality PFs that will be available...I'd rather be more aggressive in the cash I give Okafor or even Biedrens, and line them up at the 4 next to Sam unless you can land Amare, Howard, etc, but that isn't happening. They ain't walking through that door...

[dbodner]

I honestly don't think it's worth trying to speculate at this point. People who always seem unavailable end up becoming available. Possibilities that aren't there end up becoming possibilities. It could even be trading up in the draft. Who knows.

Keep in mind, I said that I thought no major move was the most likely to happen.

Let me try to rephrase that. IF we do trade for that superstar (or potential superstar) PF we obviously need, Iguodala + assets could be the most likely way to get that. will that player be available? Probably not. But if he is, I think that's a possible way we acquire him.

[freshie2]

Agree on the concept of moving Iguodala for a star PF...I disagree somewhat b/c I think there will be a big move this off season. I still think getting a player like Okafor or more likely Biedrens is a possibility, and would like to see them plugged in @ the PF spot, moving Thad to the SF and Iguodala to the SG spots.

Oh well...right now, just enjoy the final weeks of the season.

[philly262]

I still think the best way to go is to get Okafor and go straight defense.

All these teams are trying to be pure offensive run and gun teams, I think the Sixers should really be a true defensive lock you down and get in your face defensive team. I know that's not popular in today's NBA where everybody needs to score like 100 points game and be a fast break team.

But I still think the best thing to do is to go defense, that's what our team is anyway, a defensive team, we should stop trying to be an offensive team and focus on what we're already good at and that's playing defense and rebounding.

[The Guilty Party]

But the only way we can get Okafor at this point is in a sign and trade and I doubt Charlotte does that.

[76ciology]

The reason why I like to acquire Elton Brand is that IMO he is the only available star PF in the league right now who can fit well with the current Sixers squad.

I think that the idea of acquiring guys like Biedrins and Okafor would lead us to nowhere. Biedrins and Okafor would be redundant on our team because of Daly's role. Its like having two ben wallace with no real scorers in the team. Its like what the bulls (minus Ben Gordon) were prior to the trade they did before the trade deadline.

[76ciology]

Guys, I think another good question here is that which player would be more be willing to trade for that "all-star PF?" Would it be Thaddeus Young or Andre Iguodala?

Because personally, I would choose Iguodala because of his contract extension and because Young got a higher ceiling. Although I see Ed trading Thad instead if it would land us a "veteran all-star PF" because Iggy is more ready to be a contributor in the team than Thaddeus Young.

[The Guilty Party]

The next 4 months are going to be the worst.... THE WORST! All we can do is speculate but we have no clue who will be available and if so, who/what it would take on our roster to obtain them. Combine this with the fact that the news reporters will also know nothing and you have a bad situation in which we will all be lucky if we're somewhat sane on draft night.

[is1531]

Maybe Dabods knows the answer to this.

Our cap space is only 10 million counting Iggy and Lou's cap holds at what 8.5 and 1.5 for each?

So if we have to pay Iggy over 8.5 million say 10 million and we have to pay Lou like 4 million does that reduce that 10 million cap space down to 6 million?

I keep hearing in the Philly media how the Sixers will be players in free agency this summer. If they only have that 6 million after signing Lou and Iggy then 6 million is barely above the MLE.

They should have dumped some more salary at the deadline IMO.

No, the cap money has already been factored in for Iggy and Lou.The 10 million stays put.

[is1531]

I really think Dalembert is on his way out, as much as Ed praised his game, I think he is the chip that is leaving. Think about it:

1. This is Dalembert's best season and his stock will never get this high again.

2. There are some nice C's in the draft (Thabeet)

3. He is going to be the highest paid player next to Miller and Iggy.

4. Teams are looking for Centers more then a wing man.

I can see Ed shipping our left over cap space, Dalembert and our pick to move up in the draft along with a nice big man in return. I see the Bobcats as our team to trade with. They will have a nice pick, and they will sign Okafor to nice deal and ship him over.

Bobcats Recieve:

Samuel Dalembert
Our Pick
Utah's Pick
Cap Space

76ers Recieve:

Emeka Okafor
Charlotte's Pick

MARK MY WORDS! If you have to screen cap this or whatever, THIS WILL HAPPEN.

This could look very juicy leading into the draft.

[sec-106]

Bobcats Recieve:

Samuel Dalembert
Our Pick
Utah's Pick
Cap Space

76ers Recieve:

Emeka Okafor
Charlotte's Pick

MARK MY WORDS! If you have to screen cap this or whatever, THIS WILL HAPPEN.

I like Okafor a lot. But I don't like the idea of him next to Sam.

So, depending where the picks are, I'd do that deal.

[Sixerscan]

Bobcats wouldn't trade down in the draft to trade Okafor for Sam.

Plus since Okafor is a FA that would be impossible, since the picks have to sign before the signing period.