Williams still opting out; Humphries in Sixers' future?
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Williams still opting out; Humphries in Sixers' future?
John Mitchell, Inquirer Staff Writer
If the Sixers do agree to let Elton Brand walk under the NBA’s amnesty clause, they will be in position to add a power forward from the crop of potential free agents in the 2012 class. Amnesty allows a team to pay a player his salary – something even wealthy team owners don’t look upon favorably – while it comes off the team’s salary cap.
The power forward who has risen to the top of that list is believed to be New Jersey unrestricted free agent Kris Humphries. Just 27, the 6-9, 235-pound Humphries averaged 13.8 points and 11.0 rebounds for the Nets in the recently completed season. He shot better than 48 percent from the field.
He is a very good offensive rebounder – something the Sixers sorely need – and he is an improving defender.
The Sixers will almost certainly have their name mentioned in connection with Humphries because, if Brand comes off the books, they’ll have plenty of cash below salary cap, which should be in the range of $58 million when it is determined later this summer. Another name you should keep your eyes on is Carl Landry (New Orleans). He’s also the kind of power forward that the Sixers may like.
However, it might behoove the Sixers to wait until next summer to think about spending their money, because the free-agent list then will be significantly more appealing.
The list could include restricted free agents Blake Griffin and Taj Gibson. The list of unrestricted free agent forwards will include Josh Smith (Atlanta), David West (Indianapolis), and Utah’s Paul Milsap. Milsap teammate Al Jefferson, a center, will also be unrestricted.
On a different note, I remain utterly convinced that Sixers guard Lou Williams will terminate the final year of his contract and hit the market as an unrestricted free agent. Ignore any question directed at Williams asking him if he’d like to come back to Philly. Yep, Philly is a great town. And I think Williams likes playing here. In fact, I know he does.
"At this point I just think it would be crazy for me to leave," Williams said. "This is somewhere where I have carved out a lane. This is somewhere where my family is and it's my second home outside of Atlanta.
"But business is business," he continued in the same breath. "Once it comes time to deal with that we'll get to the table."
Williams won't just take the money and run; he has too much pride for that. He's not going to want to play for a loser just for more money, either.
But this is a business for these guys. Just because they like playing somewhere doesn’t mean that they aren’t interested in taking care of their family to the best of their ability. Williams, according to a source very close to the situation, wants a nice, long-term deal. And after that one is over, Williams, just 25, is going to want one more deal.
Can’t blame him.
Contact staff writer John N. Mitchell at jmitchell@philly.com. Follow him on Twitter @JmitchInquirer
So if you could trade Iggy for Gasol straight up, you make the deal. Amnesty Brand, sign Landry Fields to take over at SF, and entice Garnett to sign 2 year deal. He'll come here after seeing the Sixers are for real, and he'll play for Collins.— beegal99
He will go to the highest bidder, plain and simple. No need to go over $11 million for him.— EmanuelP- The thing that happened this year is DC helped create a winning culture. Low turnovers and good defense are the norm. You cannot just add guys like its a fantasy team. New guys have to fit the culture. Deron Williams will not come here. We have to hope our core guys get better and they will. ET is a rare talent. 6'7 and he gets rebounds and gets to the rim. When his shooting improves, and it will, he is an elite player. Holiday is 21 and he will be an allstar.— tommazza
- Gasol and Garnett - make it happen— Yes_General
- Williams is an above average player who can shoot (sometimes). Let him find his best deal and go elsewhere. Sixers are better off spending their money for inside help and a reliable outside shooter wouldn't hurt, either.— dblankj
- Williams is an above average player who can shoot (sometimes). Let him find his best deal and go elsewhere. Sixers are better off spending their money for inside help and a reliable outside shooter wouldn't hurt, either.— dblankj
- please no humphries— psualum
- Kris Humphries was funny as hell on that Kardashian series up in New York. The Sixers could use him as comic relief.— JT123
- "The power forward who has risen to the top of that list is believed to be New Jersey unrestricted free agent Kris Humphries." Based on what? Haven't seen any credible source state this. This is just complete speculation.
— JimG - Big white guys don't work out for us. Jeff Ruland, Christian Velp, Mike Gminski, Shawn Bradley, Matt Geiger, Spencer Hawes, ... I fear the big white man in the sixers uniform. We need the next Chocolate Thunder!— Dish
- Chocolate Thunder worked out? He never worked out, always out of shape, just ask Doug's right eye!
- Lamar and Kris take Philly?
- I have read a lot of ignorance Humpries has been consistently in the top five rebounding. If you don't know basketball you probably should stop posting. Anyone that knows the game knows rebounding is about desire. You could be one of those guys that waits for the all to come to him or one of those guys that goes and gets it. I don't care what color his skin is. I don't care who he married. The guy is a rebound eater. plain and simple— BigVilFromWestPhil
- Brands contract has value so get something for him. Also, what about Tristan Thompson? Good size, good shooter, great rebounder...solid. Sixers still need someone who can score 25/game as a team player...who is that?— psuwelsh
- sign Humphries, Randy Foy, and let Lou W. and Hawes go after releasing Brand via Amnesty. Trade Iggy for draft picks and sign Dante Ellis if possible (RFA) or trade Iggy for Pau Gasol staright up. The Lakers need more athleticism up front and might just be dumb enough to let Gasol go cheaply, since he's pissed at the new coach who uses him poorly...and he has two good years left in those legs.
Also did anyone notice that two of OKC Thunder players are former recent Sixer draft picks? (Daequan Cook and Sefolosha)
Looks like Ed Stafanski did a much job that he got credit for and the only mistakes he made were idiotic coaching decisions. Sefolosa is an animal and clearly one of the top picks in that draft and a steal at 13 and plays like Dennis Rodman and Cook can burry the 3 consistantly off the bench and plays some defense and he's getting better.
— sdeens
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.
