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
Humphies has been one of the best rebounders in the league for the last five seasons. I was shock to find that out last offseason when he was a FA I said we should have signed him. Humphries should be affordable. Let Hawes walk and get an athletic big man in the draft and sign Humphries.— BigVilFromWestPhil- Who do you like better, Myers Leonard or Fab Melo?..Or a lithe,but athletic Arnett Moutrie? — bearsfriend
- If you are going to let Williams walk, and trade Iguodala for a big, how about a SG like Terrence Ross. Possibly allows you to play Turner at the 3 and adds a deep threat. — BeFrank
- While Dion Waiters is also instant offense and uses brute strength and explosion on the court, Terrence Ross is a GREAT option at 15 if Lou leaves.DC LOVES long,athletic wings, and Ross has great range and potency...He's considered the "Rodney Dangerfield" of this draft, as often in NBA Drafts, players from the Pacific Northwest are...Great choice! — bearsfriend
- Actually trade Iggy and Brand for Gasol and Bynum...its known that kobe wants iggy as stated by the lakers reports. Throw in Hawes and this can happen.— hermano1
- hermano1: one, no one in their right mind would trade brand and iggy for goasol and bynum. i do agree they should trade iggy for bynum and that is possible. and they cant trade hawes because he is a fa. and to all the others, deron williams is not signing with philly, hes basically booked his ticket to dallas. eric gordon is a much more reasonable guard they can pursue— HDemetriou
- Anyone the Sixers pursue needs to fit into the Collins philosophy. Humphries is not a guy to pay huge bucks. He is just a complementary player. Iggy for Jefferson might make sense. But, we would still need a real PG. Jrue's future is at SG or as a Vinnie Johnson-like guard off the bench. Jrue is just not a good enough passer to be the PG on a championship team (that doesn't have Kobe, DWade, etc). It's probably time to see what we can get for Turner - who just doesn't seem willing to be a Collins guy.— Copper34
No way. Just because they have the cap space doesn't mean they overpay for guys like this.- We need defense first. Humphries can't defend. bear: I like Leonard and Moultrie. Big upside in each case. Moultrie can rebound and score in the post and mid- range. He can run with our horses. Doesn't block enough shots. Can learn to ? Leonard is tough and skilled. Can he run?— philsix6
- They were in the top 10% in many defensive categories.While I agree Humphries is not a defensive "stopper", he is an able defensive rebounder,killer offensive rebounder, a plus "able and willing" screen setter, and a good pick and pop guy. (I thought it was hilarious the time Malik Rose started out saying the Sixers should let him shoot that 15 footer all day, only to watch the guy hit his first five!...If he's paired with a McGee/Jordan type, I have no problems..He's looking at a 3 year/27 million type deal...No more...Of the guys I mentioned,I like Leonard the best, as he's ready defensively now to play some, and he's on the verge of getting yoked physically, and yes, he can move...Moultrie has talent,but I don't see the fire in him..Will he build himself up?..While we know the Sixers need girth and toughness, IMO, they also need scoring, so I'm hoping they just don't reach in the draft...If Lou leaves, one of thpse 2cnd round draft picks will be a point guard...I just see DC turning this thing upside down. I believe it's a coin flip concerning EB getting the amnesty tag.,,Can't wait for Chicago Draft camp, still pissed Wayns was not invited. — bearsfriend
- I would rather have Brand for 1 year, than this guy for 4. Sixers should hoard their cap-space and young talent. It's alot easier to trade a talented young guy than an expensive veteran. Build through the draft, and when that franchise player becomes available you will be in position to obtain him. There are no quick fixes. One player can change a franchise but to get that player often takes years of planning— Voltaire iii
- Many viable options to improve considerably, amnestying Brand to sign a Kris Humphries is not one of them. Come to grips with the fact that EB will start the season as a Sixer, he'll eventually have his expiring contract dealt in a package for one of the 2013 pending FAs. Lou walks (bigger roles for Jrue & Turner) and so does Hawes. Even Iggy's contract is an easy flip if the right deal comes along. Would love to upgrade from Jodie Meeks to a Ryan Anderson-type. Other than that, with the FA market out there, I'd stash the cash and wait for a true impact player -- whether a consistent perimeter scorer, or back the Brinks security truck into Blake Griffin's driveway.
- EB would have to go if the Sixers would have any chance of luring a Ryan Anderson or an Ersan Ilyasova, both who would be vaunted "stretch 4's",something DC gushes about, and thought Nik Vucevic could become when they drafted him last year...Either player would command the corners offensively, and would look great paired with a low post offensive presence, something the Sixers have never had under DC... — bearsfriend
- Why not develop Thad as a stretch 4?
— combocancer1975 - That term is ususally reserved for the 6"10" and up...the fact that DC wants more weight on Thad scares me just a tad (not a pun)...As we know, his best asset is that speed and quickness against opposing 4's,albeit that mismatch works on about just 75% of teams, and often has some consequences defensively if he's paired with a tired EB, or an "out of it" Hawes...Some guys carry weight better than others..TBD..Also,while Thad's spot up 15 footer has improved some, I'd hardly call him a sniper type,with range. — bearsfriend
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.
