For Sixers, is overpaying for Al Jefferson wise?
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For Sixers, is overpaying for Al Jefferson wise?
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
Whenever you see Spencer Hawes turn in the type performance such as the one he authored against Indiana – his 18-point, 16-rebound, eight-assist, seven-block effort was the finest single game by any Sixer this season – you understand why the Sixers were so anxious t pair this guy alongside Andrew Bynum.
Sure, Hawes has those nights when he’s as invisible as any 7-foooter can possibly be – his scoreless, 0-for-9 shooting performance in a victory against Golden State earlier this month immediately comes to mind – but alongside Bynum and playing t power forward would make performances like this far less frequent.
So, if “Plan A” doesn’t work out for the Sixers, what is the best possible option at center?
The more I think about it, the more I tend to agree with the targeting of Utah soon-to-be-unrestricted free-agent Al Jefferson.
Jefferson is not going to give you what a healthy Bynum would/will. But Jefferson, whom the Sixers will see at the end of their upcoming West Coast road trip, would fit nicely alongside Hawes and Thaddeus Young on the Sixers frontline in 2013.
Jefferson, 6-10, 265, is averaging 17.4 points and 9.1 rebounds. Also, he does a pretty decent job of getting to the line and converting when he’s there.
On the downside, he doesn’t get up and down the court very well and, in order to secure the unrestricted free-agent, it’s probably going to require that the Sixers overpay him.
What would you do? Is there another free agent out there that you’d like for this team to pursue this summer? Do you still believe the Bynum plan should be given a chance? Or do you think they should wait until next summer to go after a name free agent?
I'm hoping DiLeo can sign pf-JJ Hickson and/or c-Al Jefferson to fill the void down low. Also, the Sixers should sign a backup pg like Jarret Jack or Jose Calderon to mentor Holiday which would help make him more of a complete PG. Plus, if the Sixers end up winning the lottery, then hopefully they can draft either a legit sg-Ben McLemore or c-Nerlens Noel. Projected lineup for next season hopefully: pg-Holiday/Jack, sg-Turner/McLemore, sf-T.Young/Wright, pf-Hickson/Allen, and c-Jefferson/Hawes. Good luck! Go Phillies!— uscwee- we'll see the a promising off the bench pg (we could have gotten for next to nothing) tonight when we play the blazers. from where we will probably be drafting, we could pick up C.J. McCollum, who single handedly knocked out Duke in last year's tourney. Leading the country in scoring before he broke his foot, it should be clear by the June workouts if he's OK. — rzzzzz
- i like al jefferson i thought we should have made a play for him when he was in a twolves uniform... he's a solid low post scorer and defender/rebounder... it would be awesome if we could lock al up and sign bynum to a one year deal to see what he still has left in the tank before cutting out losses...— DJ_Bootleggah
- Al Jefferson will slow down a young team which seems stupid if you have to overpay him too, the sixers are famous for overpaying people and infamous for being a garbage francise because of overpaying( Webber, Hinson,Iggy, Jeff Ruland, Sean Bradley, the white stiff from Utah)
— steveacts - Al Jefferson wouldn't be a terrible pickup, but at this point in his career it'll probably turn into a terrible contract within just a couple of years.
I'd much rather see the Sixers try to trade up in the draft or even start a young big man that they get if they end up picking around the 10 spot, where some decent guys should still be available.— OutofTownPhillyFan - This would be a good move for Utah! Al Jefferson is vastly over-rated, and always comes up small in the crunch!— BEMiller
- He shows up for more games than Andrew Bynum — Flyerdom
- Moses....where are you?
— psuwelsh - No to Al Jefferson. I hope they don't spend money in free agency just because they have it. I say build through the draft and take a shot at a free agent the summer of 2014 when LeBron, Wade and James will all be free along with a few other players. Why spend money on players that aren't difference makers? Al Jefferson is a skilled big man but he wouldn't make the Sixers that much better. He never made any team he's been on better. He plays zero to NO defense.— MrBigDizzle
- I sent in a post that obviously someone didn't like so they squashed it....bottom line Al Jefferson type's bring you to a place called "a little better than average".....who the hell wants that???
Be patient get into the lottery 2103 and 2014 (strong top 5 picks) and let the young players play.....do not sign any FA's this off season to anything more than ONE year.....then in 2014 you will have over $20 mil to play with in cap space with Jrue-Thad-Evan-Moultrie-2013 and 2014 lottery picks with plenty of money to spend.....just be patient and stink for another year......
Whats another year to wait....we have already waited 30 years since 1983!— bbrady25 - Hawes is a backup,if you planning on him as a starter you must be planning on being in the draft lottery and no to any max contracts for anyone unless its Chris Paul and that's not happening . It's time to be young and bad and build thru the draft for a future. All the other gimmicks have failed— bgwille
- Agreed. Just say no to the Al Jeffersons of the NBA (unless they will accept one-year contracts). This team needs to hit rock-bottom before it can bounce back. That's not gonna happen if they go out and sign marginal stars to this already marginal roster. Next season in Philly should be like the one they are having in Orlando right now. Play the kids. No more roster spots (let alone minutes) for Ivey, Wilkins, etc. Get young. Get draft picks. Then get a coach who knows how to develop them.— Copper34
- didn't they just do this w/ elton brand? another old, slow footed, plodding big man. gee...???!!! the 6ers need to develop some type of talent evaluating staff quick. the quick fix 2nd tier player(s) do NOT work. i.e. elton brand, glenn (the really big dogg) davis, chris (over the hill) webber, jeff (no knees) ruland.— ihatenewyorkers
- I like Al Jefferson. However to over pay him would be absurd. Develop your young players and get good draft picks.— Hack Wilson
- I would rather see us draft Alex Len and pick up Nikola Pekovic from agency as the starter while Len develops for a yr or two.— ajm8510
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
