76ers' off-season: a starting guideline
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76ers' off-season: a starting guideline
The NBA Playoffs march on, but the 76ers' offseason is already two weeks underway. These few weeks in early May are often seen as the quietest for NBA teams (except recently for the Sixers, who've held a coaching search in the two off seasons prior to this one). But things are about to "heat" up in Sixer-land (pun intended), beginning with next week's NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. Because of this, we thought now was a good time to discuss what type of off-season player the Sixers could be this summer.
Obviously a lot of what happens going forward is dependent on the status of the CBA and the potential lockout, but since that's a topic we won't be able to address until next month, we'll be game planning as if the 2011-12 season will be played (otherwise we'd just leave this blog empty, kind of like the arenas would be next season if an agreement isn't reached).
Here's what's coming up in the next month for the Sixers: the draft combine in Chicago starting next week, running from May 18-22. Basically this is the official combine for teams, with all of the potential first-round picks working out and holding interviews with teams. By the end of the month, the Sixers will begin inviting players into PCOM for workouts before the draft. The NBA Draft is scheduled for June 23 and the Sixers currently hold the No. 16 pick, plus a second-round selection. Because consensus is that this is a relatively weak draft, talent-wise, most pundits feel it would be a wise strategy for teams to draft for need, not talent. In past seasons, the Sixers have held the philosophy that they'd select the best available player, regardless of his position, and regardless of whether they had any need for that specific player at that specific position. It still remains to be seen how the front office will approach this draft, but it's likely they'll focus on obtaining some interior help even if there is a really talented swingman on the board.
There are so many bases to cover, so before we try to touch them all, let's lay out the Sixers' roster and salary cap issues heading into the off season. The Sixers have only two significant players coming off the books (also Antonio Daniels and Tony Battie, but these are "significant" contracts): Jason Kapono and Darius Songaila. Let's just say there is 0 percent chance either of these players re-signs with the Sixers -- because there is, literally, 0 percent chance that happens. Combined, those two contracts equal approximately $11 million, meaning the Sixers have $11 million coming off the books. Before you start imagining what kind of player the Sixers could sign for $11 million a season, let's bring it back down to reality. Both Thaddeus Young and Spencer Hawes are restricted free agents and it's safe to say the Sixers will aim to re-sign both. With the rising contracts of Elton Brand, Andre Iguodala, Lou Williams, Evan Turner, Marreese Speights, Jrue Holiday (all of them have higher salaries for the 2011-12 season compared to the 2010-11 season), plus the addition of a first-round pick and his contract (should the team keep the selection) and the addiiton of a second-round pick and his contract (should the team keep the selection), and the Sixers essentially have little to no room on the free-agent market. Obviously, it remains to be seen whether the new CBA will keep the mid-level exception, which could provide an outlet for the Sixers to get something done on the free-agent market. And it remains to be seen what next season's salary cap will actually be, but when talking about what the Sixers might be able to do in free agency this summer, one must come to the realization that free agency isn't likely the road the Sixers can take to improve the team.
That leaves them with two paths: the 2011 NBA Draft (pick No. 16) and trades. Or, as is a distinct possibility, a combination of the two: a trade on draft day. Everyone knows the holes this roster has: interior play and an 82-game scorer. These are not easy holes to fill. The problem with trying to trade for a big man is that NBA teams are generally loathe to trade any effective post player because they aren't a dime a dozen. If you got one, you'll do anything in your power to keep him.
We'll have to assume the Sixers will approach this draft as their main shot at snagging some interior help. If they want to play it out with the hand they've been dealt, you're looking at the addition of a big man like Georgia's Trey Thompkins, who some draft experts have landing in the Sixers' No. 16 spot, although others have him going lower in the first round. Research of Thompkins -- and noticing comparisons to Channing Frye -- leave you thinking he's not quite what the Sixers need because he's solid on the block, but also has a feathery jumper and likes to face up. The Sixers had that with Jason Smith and, in some ways, have that again with Hawes. We all know they need a bruiser like Reggie Evans and a legitimate starting center, with Hawes being a very capable backup. Another name to keep an eye on is Lithuanian center Donatas Montiejunas (yes, I triple checked that spelling). He's a 7-footer that could go as a lottery pick, but who could also fall lower like Holiday did during the 2009 NBA Draft. Again, Montiejunas isn't exactly what the Sixers need, but that's what happens when you're selecting on the lower end in the draft.
The guy that could be the upgrade the Sixers need is Turkish center Enes Kanter: 18 years old, physical, good rebounder, and also slated to be drafted somewhere from No. 3-5. In order to climb the ladder that high, you're looking at the Sixers combining a trade with draft day, and that would cost them a piece of their puzzle. But without the free agency money to be players in their own right, the Sixers will look to get creative in combining trade value with draft day, which is when some of the league's most crucial moves transpire.
Also, as we head into the rest of May and the buildup to the draft, it must be noted that the Sixers will interact with Doug Collins about every potential move they make. Because this team relied so heavily on the chemistry and blended personality (in large part molded by Collins), he'll be included even more than most coaches regarding personnel decisions.
Hope this helps as a primer for the next six weeks of NBA off-season action. In watching the way the Miami Heat dismantled the Boston Celtics, it's clear that the Sixers' series with Miami was even more impressive than we thought at the time. Of course, the franchise was in a similar position after the 2008-09 season, when they played the Orlando Magic better than any other Eastern Conference opponent. It's a nice little reminder of how far the Sixers have come, going chest-to-chest with Miami, but unlike what happened after that 2009 Playoff series, the Sixers must make some legitimate franchise-changing moves so we're not sitting here in 2013 talking about another solid first-round effort.
More coming in the upcoming weeks. We'll be holding a Live Chat at 1 p.m. today on Philly.com. And if you want to follow on Twitter, you can do so here: Deep Sixer.
--Kate
Each week, Kate will check in from the road and answer fan questions about the Sixers. Click here to ask Kate a question or e-mail her at kfagan@phillynews.com.
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ur adorable— miller71- anyone else's question(s) go ignored on this chat today?— BlackFeet01
- Why did you even bother man. I caught up on The Daily Show on Hulu around that time. I checked in for a second the only person I recognized was Leegles.
- Hey Kate, How about the hometown heroes - Marcus and Markieff Morris?
and Justin Holiday in the 2nd round. Sportswriters dream.— bsmart - It's easy to sit here and say "Trade Iguodala and the No. 16 for a top-5 pick," but teams drafting that high have no need for an expensive swingman. No, the pieces you might have to consider parting with are Young and Williams. And I don't see Collins signing off on that unless the return is a bona-fide center of power forward. Best bet is to reach out to one of the second-round teams still sore from getting beat in the playoffs and try to pry a big man off their roster for some combination of Sixers pieces and pick(s).— jpk
- Kenneth Faried, Justin Harper, or some Euro you can stash away for a while overseas with the 16th pick (Although, we tend to not draft Euros. Why is that?)
Iggy, Spieghts, and protected future 1st for Kaman and the 2012 1st that LAC got from MIN.
Try to resign Young. Hawes gets a RFA tender and nothing more.— dmanns - Faried would definitely fill a need for us and he should be there at 16. Another player to consider is Lucas Nogueira from Brazil. He's 18 y.o., 7 ft tall with a 7'6" wing span, and has experience playing for the World under 18 team. Lucas is currently rated as #23 according to draftexpress.com, my favorite website this time of year :) — incog69
- BlackFeet01: my question did not make the cut: at what position did she envision the Sixers intended to play Turner next season. She responded to a different question as to whether Turner and Holiday would switch positions and indicated that the Sixers would probably designate both of them as combo guards. You and I have disagreed about Turner, but I continue to see him increasingly used at the point, unless he develops a serious catch and shoot jumper, whereby he would consistently play the two. He is not a three, in my opinion, and she hinted that if Iguodala goes, Young would become the three. I also agree strongly with her assessment that if you do not have a smooth jumper by the time you are in high school, you will never have a smooth jumper, as Iguodala has learned to our dismay, but Turner could at least develop what she called a "serviceable" outside shot to go with his other skills. I don't think she ignores posts intentionally, unless they are abusive or have already been asked and answered.— chuckw
- There was a time (I've been told) when basketball positions weren't so categorized. No PG or SG just guards. No PF or SF just forwards. I'd like to think that's what we will have with Turner and Holiday. Two guys that compliment each other. I don't believe the form on your jump shot Reggie Miller was an assassin, but his form wasn't text book.
- I completely agree- Turner and Holiday will make a fine back-court tandem. Holiday can already shoot pretty well and at 20 y.o. he's only going to get better. Turner, while older, didn't practice NBA 3's much in college, so we can expect improvement from him in that area as well (and we even saw some as he raised his FG% from 40 at the half-way point to 42 at seasons' end). Neither will shoot as well as Reggie, but both will be better playmakers and penetrators. — incog69
Comment removed.- @chuckw: I asked about what that Enes Kantes had over the Morris brothers from Kansas, what she thought about Klay Thompson, and since Kantes was more than likely going to be gone, that who should we pick? And I'll admit, I originally had no problems with your Turner scenario. But I just see Holiday as a point. I don't mind Young as a starting 3, but tell me this, what makes you believe Young's a better 3 than Turner, even though they're BOTH 6'6 (pre-draft measurements), and Turner has better handles, defense, and range?— BlackFeet01
- Koncussion: Apparently, they did not like Dalembert's attitude and seeming unwillingness to improve his offensive game, but I tend to agree with you that if Collins is the great coach and tough taskmaster, then he could have worked with Dalembert who actually played pretty well when Iverson was here last season (no I don't want Iverson back). Hawes is, at best, a backup; he is atrocious defensively, but I am worried that Kate seems to be targeting European centers who prefer facing the hoop, and I know what you think about European centers and, frankly, for this team right now, they need a shot-blocker, rebounder. No way the Sixers would bring Dalembert back but ironically, Dalembert and Reggie Evans would be a huge upgrade defensively.— chuckw
- I agree with the above poster in that it would be fantastic if we could lure Sammy D (emphasis on the D) back to town. Coupled with a finesse center (Hawes) he would be greatly appreciated. Last season the Sixers frequently ran a small line-up with Young at the 4 and brand at the 5. That line-up would look great with Sammy D at the 5 in place of Brand (Brand needs to stay at the 4 when he's on the floor).— incog69
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.
