Posted: Sunday, June 29, 2008, 2:37 PM | 50 comments |
 

The list
options
 

We're less than two days until the bank opens.

When the clock strikes midnight on Tuesday, the Sixers have about $11 million to spend in one of the most important offseasons in recent years.

Only Memphis has nearly as much money to spend as the Sixers.

"We will be active on July 1," GM Ed Stefanski said Thursday night. "We've got to see if we can do something with the opportunity we have. We have a chance to use that money to get someone."

Here's the list of free agents, the most recent available leading up to Tuesday. Obviously, there's a lot to be decided before July 1. Elton Brand, a name the 76ers would very much be interested in, has a $16 million player option that he must decide on.

And then there's restricted free agents like Josh Smith, Luol Deng and Andris Biedrins.

So before the list of players who opt out and are restricted is finalized, what does your ideal offseason for the 76ers look like?

Posted by Matt Gelb @ 2:37 PM  Permalink | 50 comments
50
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:14 PM, 06/29/2008
    Frankly, my ideal offeseason begins with giving Iggy a 50 million, and not a penny more. Look at the payrolls of teams like San Antonio and tell me that he's worth more. From there, also to be frank, my hopes arent' high. This "core," lets be honest, is, at best, mediocre. And this summer's free agents and restricted free agents is not terribly exciting. Josh Smith? Can he stay out of trouble? Brand? Is he, and can he stay, healthy? Deng? Uum, he's not a power forward, and he's a lousy rebounder! Biedrins? He averages 10 and 10, which ain't exciting. Who else? Okafur? He can rebound, but he's not the scoring threat in the post that we need. And Jamison, well, he's a 32-year-old journeyman. I'm interested to see what management does, but, to be honest, I'd be fine if we don't waste the money and settle for being average (or worse) for two more years, get more draft picks, and try to be a player in 2010. 'Cause, guess what, this team ain't impressive as it's currently configured.
    — Hobbes
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:52 AM, 06/30/2008
    guysss lol its backkkk biattchh!! well marc aint here (goodbye dawg) and a new dude matt fills in. (hmm matt huh? u got a picture? put it up; us bloggers are pretty sensitive about being personal and dont talk to strangers; ohh yeah frequency of the blogs...err really too concurrent, might wanna leave 2-3 days in between let everyone chew on it and dissect nonesense...err just a tip) hey guys u gonna come back? i expect a lot of u are just checking it out and unsure. hey what the hell its a business and marc had to go, lets greet the new dude (whaddid u say ur name was sir...Matt Gelb! ahh thats it) Matt with some text and gooey signs. lol. peace out!!
    — jkay
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:39 AM, 06/30/2008
    I would prefer a 20 ppg. scorer that is not restricted; [Brand,Jamison or Gordon]; do not want to give up Sam,Thad or L.Will. in a sign and trade for Josh Smith, although if a J.Smith/Speights tandem in a year or so is a viable option at the 5 then I!m all for moving Sam.Having 5 guys that can be involved in the offense is a good idea, don!t you think? If it is Gordon than Mo would have to figure out how to get Iggy,Thad and Ben 32 minutes a night at the wing positions, not an easy task.
    — seude
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:59 AM, 06/30/2008
    By the way, E.S. revealed a little bit of himself during the draft process when 1] he gave a bad statement on Spieghts defensive ability and 2] when he kept him away instead of a second workout; so we can!t keep him at his word[sandbagging, a good trait]. So if he does have interest in Randolph[who knows but him] here is the best summer scenerio talent wise.Trade Green, Evans and 7 mill. in cap room for Randolph and a future #1.Then offer Denver 4 mill. in cap room and Carney and the Utah #1 for J.R.Smith. Final roster: Dalembert,J.Smith; Randolph,Spieghts; Thad,Iggy; Iggy,J.R.Smith; A.Miller, L.Will.; Is a risk personality wise worth the upside of 2 possible 20 ppg. players between the age of 23 and 27, that is a question only the Sixers staff can answer, but on talent this is the best we could do.
    — seude
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:08 AM, 06/30/2008
    SUEDE: After his latest incident a few weeks ago, Zach Randolph must be removed from consideration one way or another. Don't you think?
    — bski
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:09 AM, 06/30/2008
    I am with Hobbes, I do not think adding one peice is going to make a difference with this team. Iggy disappeared in the playoffs covered in the glove last nameed Prince and he thinks he's worth man than what they offered. Josh does fit the playing style because he can run. has the jury decided Jason Smith was a wasted pick because I thought he was a 4. I think Brand is a wasted sign. He hasn't done much since he left the Bulls except be injured.
    — EyeQ
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 4:57 PM, 06/30/2008
    if we somehow get randolph, i will stop being a sixer fan. i cant deal with another few years of having the wrong players. this guy is a stiff, he is overpaid and is not a shotblocker. he is a classic all-numbers guy and will never be a winner in the nba. i cant believe you guys would want him. do you want eddy curry too ? we will never win with iggy , he doesnt fit here, he will be overpaid, and he is taking time from Thad. bottom line is we dont need this guy, lets make a smart decision for once. if we sign him, we will never get Brand. Brand is the only player that can really make a difference. EyeQ, you should check the numbers before speaking. Brand has had 6 great seasons with the Clip, playing 81, 79, and 80 games in the 3 seasons before last. the guy is perennial 20/10 and a tremendous shot blocker. Sure, his injury as a risk but not as big as others seem to think. This is a high character guy, a professional, and the type of guy you want to take a small gamble on.
    — AaronMcKie4MVP
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:14 PM, 06/30/2008
    Blski, don!t want him but if nothing else is available he may be their last option. Teams in our conference improved and if we stay pat a trip to playoffs may not be in the cards, don!t know if [fan wise] management would be patient enough.
    — seude
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:22 PM, 06/30/2008
    Brand opted out, the best case scenerio has happened, go get him Ed!!!
    — seude
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:46 PM, 06/30/2008
    test the waters and see what you get, Ed! Ok, I know he's going back to the Clips for a longer deal. I think the most realistic is trying to challenge for Jason Smith regardless of what the Hawks GM says. They've a poor track record. If not, Ed needs to try for a trade.
    — xing
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:50 PM, 06/30/2008
    I certainly don't think we should go for Jamison (another big 3) or Randolphs (he's a headcase). We need a true 4, ether Brand or Smith. If neither is available, get the best big young shooter available. I don't want Ben Gordon- too small next to Lou.. and remember, there is a better free agent class coming up next year.
    — xing
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:23 AM, 07/01/2008
    ok all questions on all these guys. i guess brand is re-signing with clips. makes hum even more expensive to get now so no. josh smith would make the sixers a perennial highlight reel team and then nothing more. plan josh smith needs to have a sub plot to take care of the bricks that he would toss up in addition to the rest of the team. ben gordon for a reasonable (he's eaten his humble pie) price is intriguing but isnt he a sixth man scorer like lou, if lou is going point guard then yes, if not i dunno. i think seude's answers (jr smith and z-bo) might be the best case scenarios even though i'm no more thrilled bout randolph anymore but he is a quick fix. now lamar odom in philly might be interesting too. all in all, guys forget bout brand ok. even if the 6ers sign him it would be bad cos they would have to overpay and even he aint worth it, heck i;m surprised the clips wanna throw him the paper like that, dumb GM, no balls or common sense, its not like they are going anywhere fast.
    — jkay
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:14 AM, 07/01/2008
    nothin new seems posts are still getting lost with the new system. dont have the energy to repeat nonsense. to summarize: forget brand he's gone.
    — jkay
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:07 AM, 07/01/2008
    Don't worry Mckie, if we would have traded for Zach Randolph it would have been before the draft.
    — The Greek
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:53 PM, 07/01/2008
    If Josh is the guy we need 2 coaches added this summer; the best trapping, uptempo teacher available for Mo,[Tarkanian,Westhead?] and a low post fundamental guy,[Walton,Akeem?] to teach Sam,Josh and Reggie at least one go to move each. Hire them over the summer as advisers,please!!!!!
    — seude


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About John Mitchell
John Mitchell is in his first 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.

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