Now that their relatively successful season is over, the 76ers must make the jump to the next level. Ed Stefanski, the team president and general manager, will likely be active this off-season, and there are many issues to resolve.

The team will be more than $10 million under the salary cap, but the best way to acquire a marquee player may be by trade instead of signing a free agent. For instance, the Sixers could trade $5 million worth of salaries to a team for a $15 million player.

Here are some off-season decisions that Stefanski will have to make:

Andre Miller

On Friday, Miller, the point guard, said he didn't know if he would like to stay with the team after his contract runs out next season. He will be paid nearly $10 million for the 2008-09 season.

Miller is 32 and doesn't have the game that will decline swiftly because it's based on intelligence more than sheer athletic ability.

The most important thing is whether Miller wants to stay. After speaking Friday, he gave the impression he wants to see the improvements before making a commitment.

Andre Iguodala

It's known that Iguodala turned down a five-year $57 million extension in October. Now he will be a restricted free agent with the Sixers having the right to match any offer.

The Sixers could retain his rights for the 2008-09 season by making Iguodala a $3.8 million one-year qualifying offer. After that, he would become an unrestricted free agent in 2009-10.

He was asked Friday if he could see a scenario in which he goes into next season with that one-year deal.

"I don't know," Iguodala said. "I think something will get done, but that is a possibility . . . a small chance that will happen."

It's likely the Sixers will either sign him to a new deal or execute a sign-and-trade with another team. Playing for the $3.8 million qualifying offer doesn't appear to be a realistic option. And receiving a huge offer that the Sixers have to match is probably not likely because few teams have the cap room.

There is no question that Stefanski is a huge Iguodala backer. The question is at what price will he keep him. It says here that a deal will get done and that Iguodala will remain the building block of the team.

Maurice Cheeks

It is almost a given that the coach will get a contract extension. But again, at what price and for how many years? Cheeks declined an additional option year when his contract was extended for one season in February through 2008-09. He rolled the dice, thinking that he'd be leaving dollars on the table.

Cheeks reportedly will earn $2.7 million next season. With Scott Skiles having signed for four years and $18 million with Milwaukee, Cheeks' choice not to accept the additional year seems to have paid off.

Lou Williams

Like Iguodala, Williams is a restricted free agent. There is a question whether he is the starting point guard of the future, but he is a valuable performer who, at 21, still has plenty of room to grow.

Williams excelled in his role as sniper off the bench and clutch shooter, especially in the fourth quarter of games. Again, a three-year deal for $12 million wouldn't be out of line. But either way the Sixers can't afford to let him go unless some team presents an outlandish offer.

"I want to be here without a doubt," Williams said Friday. "It's where I started my career, and I have made Philly my home."

Free agents

The free agent who is most desirable is Atlanta's Josh Smith, but the Hawks will be able to match any offer to him. As dysfunctional as the Hawks' ownership has been, it's still difficult to think it would let go of a talent such as Smith, even in a sign-and-trade.

The best unrestricted free agent is Washington's Antawn Jamison. Even though he is a 20 and 10 guy - 21.4 points per game and 10.2 rebounds per game - Jamison isn't the low post presence the Sixers are seeking. Plus, Jamison turns 32 in June. Right now, the guess is that he would remain with the Wizards.

Of the players who can opt out of contracts, the one often mentioned is Elton Brand of the Los Angeles Clippers. Still, it is difficult to imagine Brand opting out of the final year of his $16 million deal.

Other high-priced forwards who can opt out include Miami's Shawn Marion and Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal, who can also play center. Marion would have to opt out of a $17.1 million deal, and O'Neal would give up a reported $44 million over the final two years of his deal.

One other player the Sixers are familiar with who can opt out is Allen Iverson. Don't expect Iverson to give up nearly $22 million next season or for the Sixers to be interested anyway.

Trades

Even though he's not a power forward, Memphis guard Mike Miller would fit the need for a shooter.

Miller was almost dealt at the trade deadline to Miami as Memphis was looking to shed salary. He is owed nearly $19 million for the next two seasons. Whether the Sixers have the goods to get the 28-year-old Miller is another story.

One player virtually every team will ask about in trade talks is Thaddeus Young, who is as close to an untouchable as anybody on the Sixers.

If the Sixers are looking for a power forward, Milwaukee's Charlie Villanueva might be available.

A lower-level restricted free agent such as Ronny Turiaf of the Los Angeles Lakers is a possibility. But that might not provide enough of an upgrade for the Sixers.

The draft

The Sixers select 16th in the first round and don't have a second-round pick. Stefanski said earlier that it would be hard for a player drafted this year to crack the rotation of such a young team.

Then again, when the Sixers drafted Young 12th and Jason Smith 20th after moving up one spot in a trade with Miami last year, few thought either would crack the Sixers rotation.

Young averaged 21 minutes, and Smith averaged 14.6. So it can't totally be discounted that the Sixers won't be immediately helped by the draft. It's just wise not to bank on it.

---

Contact staff writer Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225 or mnarducci@phillynews.com. Read his blog at: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/deep-sixer.