Trade deadline approaching quickly, Sixers appear to not be participants
As the trade deadline arrives tomorrow, will the Sixers make any moves? It doesn't appear likely.
The trade deadline will probably come and go tomorrow for the Sixers with nothing much happening. Yes it appears Andre Iguodala will be staying. No it doesn't look like a young big man with both offensive and defensive skills will be coming.
Much of the dilemma has to do with how well the team has been playing of late, winners of 24 of their last 40. Another problem is with the Collective Bargaining Agreement up in the summer, teams don't know what kind of money they'll be dealing with next year and in the years to come. Taking on big salaries just isn't something owners, presidents and general manager's want to do right now.
One move the Sixers could make is to buy out swingman Jason Kapono's contract. The Sixers would bargain on a price, pay Kapono and give him the opportunity to sign with another team for the rest of the season. His $6.6 million was set to come off the budget after this season anyway and Kapono hasn't been able to find any playing time of late for coach Doug Collins so it might be something they consider.
Tonight they Sixers start the final drive towards the end of the season as they host the Washington Wizards at the Wells Fargo Center. It will be the first of 26 games in 50 days to close out the season. The Sixers are currently in the seventh spot in the East, two games behind the New York Knicks, who will be dealing with a whole different team for the rest of the season now that Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and company are there.
As for tonight, here's some keys to the game for the Sixers:
*Get the lead early and keep it. The Sixers have done a nice job in the three meetings with the Wizards, but haven't done a great job of keeping it. Two of the Sixers' worst losses of the season came to the lowly Wizards, so they don't want to give them any hope.
*Somehow look to contain Nick Young. If the Wizards played the Sixers every game, Young would be an All-Star. He has an abundance of confidence when it comes to Philadelphia. If he gets his points, the Sixers have to make sure they come when the lead is safe.
*Keep the productivity of John Wall down. Wall kills the Sixers with his hard drives to the basket that either result in points for him or his teammates. He needs to be kept out of the lane.
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