Williams still opting out; Humphries in Sixers' future?
The latest 76ers news from Philly.com.
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
The problem with focusing on 2013 is the potential for slippage in this coming season as Iguodala, whether he plays in the Olympics or not, is a knee problem waiting to happen, Brand is good for 15-18 minutes, Lavoy Allen is a nice backup but slow on his defensive rotations against quicker bigs, Vucevic did not sniff the floor in the playoffs, Hawes might lease, Williams might leave, Thad Young cannot compete against teams with length and defensive skills, Turner has no position, and Holiday is, in my mind, not a pass-first point guard. They need to focus on improving the club this coming season by adding at least a professional three-point shooter, a solid, rebounding four, and more toughness at the center position, someone who can score inside as well. Who knows what free agents will decide to do in 2013, particularly if the Sixers take a couple of steps back. Stars like Blake Griffin want to win, as well as get the big payday.— chuckw- Humphries should be the better more realistic option than those seeking Dwight Howard or Deron Williams. Superstars aren't gonna come here unless they are damaged goods like Cwebb was, Brand was etc. We need a player who is a vet but who has at least another good decade left in them. Humphries is a 7 year vet similar to Iguodala. He won't blow you away with scoring but he'd get a more than a double double on a nightly basis and prevent teams from penetrating like the Celtics did at will. If done right he shouldn't put us right back in salary-cap hell either. We might still have room to get a shooter-scorer or a top-notch sniper. Unless if we could get Gasol for Iguodala (not too likely) I see this as our best REALISTIC option. We're not playing video games or fantasy leagues here where you can get a Dwight Howard for chump change. This is something the players or teams might actually want to do.
I wouldn't touch Oden with the minimum vet contract of $1 million+ How many games has he played in his "career"? I'd rather have Iverson back for the vet minimum than someone as risky health-wise as Oden.
Also quit dreaming about getting a top-notch center for Iguodala. It's not happening. The Lakers are not gonna trade Bynum for Iguodala and I highly doubt they would trade Gasol for Iguodala either no matter what Kobe wants. Teams that have size value it and don't give it up so easily. Not if they're smart and looking to win. Could we get Josh Smith? Maybe. Maybe not. Al Jefferson? Not likely. Utah isn't stupid. We have to be smart and realistic. A Kris Humphries would help as long as he doesn't rob the bank. If we're gonna do that we need to roll the dice and try for a superstar/all-star type.— joecooler2u - joecooler2u: amen. I would add that everyone expects wild trading sprees; this is still the NBA where trades happen infrequently and teams build primarily with draft picks and smart free agent signings.— chuckw
- why sign deron williams when you still have jrue AND ET under contract? or are you saying sign williams and not pick up the team options on those two? because there is NO reason why they should sign williams if they also have those two on the team. don't get me wrong williams is much better than both of them, but it's just stupid to make a move for him if we also have those young guys coming back
- 1. Keep Iguodala (Defensive stud, decent scorer, transition game,clutch)
2. Try to Sign Deron Williams=might be tough but this must be a priority
3. Do NOT sign Kris Humphries
4. Sign Ersan Illyasova...He can shoot from the perimeter...accurate shooter...big man and decent rebounder...get this, you need less offensive rebounds when u make shots.... I think if they sign Deron Williams...Illyasova is a no-brainer...
5. Work the draft for an athletic big man inside with scoring ability...There are plenty available... or if that fails, select a small forward with scoring prowess...I would trade up in this draft...great talent 5-10 positions...
6. Sign Sweet Lou Williams...get it done
7. No-brainer, let Brand go NOW.. Nothing against Brand, he played hard but his contract is an albatross around the Sixers neck...— feudal_nobility09 - Joecooler: Oden did have the surgery that kobe had. So thats why I say give him a shot. I agree the lakers will not trade Bynum, but Gasol is on the trading block and Kobe wants a wingman like iggy who can handle the ball and help run the tri angle offense he played under phil jackson so that trade is likely due to salary cap space for both teams. Gasol and Iggy are on the same pay scale so you can trade them strait up.— male
- Deron Williams, Holliday, Iguodala, Illyasova, (Drafted Big Man 2012--trade up, be bold Sixers), Vucevic, Lou Williams, Turner, Allen, Young, Meeks..... This team is a contender for a long time...Iffy on Turner. I think they need to be bold in this draft...if there is a guy they want, go up and get him...trade picks, the time to win is now...— feudal_nobility09
- chuckw: I'm shocked that you said turner has no position. What about point guard or do you think turner can't play the point or Collins just don't want him to play the point. I think turner is not collins guy no matter what. So as long as Collins is here trade turner and vukes, and sam young and anyone elese collins don't want. This way collins will be responsible for the team with no excuses. If he didn't want Turner and Vucevic than why draft them. And if Rod Thorn is the problem then bye rod thorn because somethings gotta give. The sixers must have a plan and direction to follow look at the Memphis Grizzleys and the OKC Thunder they built through the draft and smart trades. But if Thorn is drafting and trading players who collins refuses to play or play properly then it is pointless. Somethings gotta give! Bye Doug or Bye Thorn simple as that.— male
- male: ET will never get the chance to be the sole point guard on this team and since he is not really a two or three, he has no position. To be fair, DC did give him significant minutes in the playoffs, but he was only one of the four facilitators and I do think he needs to work on his conditioning, his jumper, and finishing. I still believe, although many posters do not, that he will be a quality starter in the league, but probably not in Philly,. I don't believe DC wanted him in the draft, probably preferring Favors, but ET was Stefanski's pick. I do think DC wanted Vucevic in case Hawes walked, but he fell out of favor because of his poor defense and rebounding. As for Rod Thorn, he is almost certainly on his way out. You will get your wish: this will be DC's team, for better or worst. — chuckw
Don't amnesty brand. BUT have him sit out the 1st 25-30 games of the season and have lavoy start in his place. (rest for brand and more experience for lavoy and Nik). Brand would stabilize the group during the playoffs. Kris Humphries? He not worth it. He does not bring what brand brings. Brand contributes a lot to the team that doesn't reflect in the box score. (he didn't get his hand up on that rondo 3). I was like.... Don't give it to him. Bucket. Damn. But looking forward I say keep brand and battie have them at the end of the bench together pushing/coaching going 1 on 1/ 2 on 2 v lavoy and Nik getting them ready for every game. Spencer? He's growing on me. If kwame brown gets 6.8 (he's overpaid) hawes should get around 6. Turner, Jrue, iguodala, lavoy, Nik. Lou, , , Thad, hawe, brand, Meeks battie and brand (brand deactivated for 25 games) at the end of the bench. The center out of illinois sounds good. No more young guards. Get the guard out of free agency. Nash would fit but he's up there. Andre miller off of the bench with Lou and Thad? I like that. I really like that. Andre miller may be the target if Lou doesn't opt out.— combocancer1975- Combo: stand pat? I doubt it, but I don't envision quite as much change as some other posters. What about Jameer Nelson? He is unhappy in Orlando and might be available and still only 30 years old. — chuckw
- DC would consider Jameer too much of a defensive liability at 5'10" I would think...We sure don't have a Dwight Howard to erase defensive gaffes. — bearsfriend
- I want to trade turner for mozgov and let spencer walk. But I doubt it will happen. — combocancer1975
- Oden will never play another game so can it. Chris can play and is improving. He looked good against the Sixers and is really a beast down low. Plus it'll give he fans someone else to boo— 7mel11
- did i miss the part where kobe played about 15 games in 3 seasons before his surgery and was miraculously cured?— jim715
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.
