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
Signing a guy like humphries would be the biggest mistake they could make, probably would be a 4 year deal like 7-10 million a year, that just isn't money well spent. Just because you have money under the cap doesn't mean you need to spend it, wait for the right kind of talent to be available. They'd be better off holding onto Brand then using him in a trade around the deadline then to amnesty him just to sign Humphries. If the Sixers are really smart, trade Iggy to a deal like Portland or Utah that will have space, either get a top 10 pick or in Utah's case Favors, then Amnesty Brand, and let Lou and Spencer walk and aggresively pursue Deron Williams.— mdb20- Amnesty Brand, let Lou Walk, trade Turner for 4 or 5, keep Iguodala, SIGN DERON WILLIAMS, maybe fit in Humphries and let the draft, Lavoy, and Nic Vuvecik add size. Thad Young continues to develop as a sixth man. This team is then all around better. Sixers ownership give me a call -- I'm a low cost GM.— jimmy76er
- You get what they pay for... — BeFrank
- I still don't understand why nobody mentions the fact that Brand's expiring deal could be valuable in trade if we are willing to take on money. I agree that next years crop is a much more attractive list than this years. On a different topic, if Thaddeus Young adds 10 pounds is that going to help him get tougher or make his hands better? He played so soft this year and completely vanished in the playoffs.— Mattb
- mdb20: What happens to your plan if Williams simply doesn't want to come here? Then what?— Rawkus
- Expect Deron Williams in Dallas. — bearsfriend
- Deron Williams quit on 1 team and got a coach fired during his career. Is the risk worth the reward? I would say sure, why not because he might put the Sixers in a better position to land a top player in a trade or a FA signing. Trade Iggy now, as his value has NEVER been higher. In fact, they may be able to get a team to take him w/o having to take back a bad contract in return (if they can get a top 10 pick, then YES YES YES). Humphries, if signed to a good deal, would be a nice fit in this place. He would replace Mr. Softee in the middle. Also, why not go after KG for a year (option for two) as a mentor to Allen and Vuc? They could offer a big deal to try and land Hibbert as well, although him being a RFA, I am sure Indiana would match any offer.— ESFjellin
- Humphries is a good player who doesn't need plays run for him to contribute...He does dirty work, and always gives max effort...Defensively, this article says he is "improved". I believe that area will be scrutinized some before they commit...Contract wise,Humphries will not try to break the bank, in either dollars,or years...If he was paired with an athletic big, he appeals to me. — bearsfriend
- Not a huge fan of Hump either mdb20 but if they can get him for 7-10 for 13 points and 11 boards that is a value. Iggy doesn't even give us that and is making 14. Signing him is a good move only if you are able to make other moves. A guy who can get his own shot and actually make it should be the #1 priority, even if you have to part with a "key" piece.— eaglessuperfan
- What about Greg Oden I hear he had the secret surgery that Kobe had. Now his knees are better than ever. If that is true go get Oden sign him to a 2-3 yr deal and see what happens. You never know?— male
- Oden? I'd rather get Shaq out of retirement and take my chances there than Oden. Oden has a streak of bad luck that the Sixers don't want to inherit.
- Actually Greg Oden makes perfect sense. Shaq is no more than a 300+ pound paper weight at this point.
On the other hand. Greg Oden because of bad knees will allow for contract with if or but clauses that will make it easy for Sixers to get out if knees fail again...but imagine the reward if it works out!— proyem - Why are you so hot to get a top ten pick for Iggy? There will be 1 player capable of being a superstar 4 players who become part time All-stars(most gone by pick 5) but not year in and year out and 5 guys that will never be as good as Iggy. The only thing the Sixers do well is play defense but you want to give the defensive catalyst away for a guy who ends up being a limited player who can maybe shoot. Meanwhile defense continually wins the championship. Stop commenting, basketball is over your head. The Sixers need to keep Iguodala and get rid of the guys with limited skills and or match-up issues(Young, Turner, Holliday, Hawes, Williams) Williams is easy to replace as the second team #1 scorer so let him walk. I'd like to see the Sixers sign a 2 Guard with some skills, make an offer to restricted free agent Ryan Anderson, and sign a center that ca add to the back line defense. I think they should amnesty Brand, let Williams walk and not sign Hawes. This way they could get even better at their strength(defense) and add about 4 0r 5 points ot here game average to 98 pts a game.— UncleStosh
- Iggy is a really good bet to make the Olympic team, only has 2 years left on his big contract, and has appeal to teams missing that one piece (Lakers?) before a window closes...Turning 29 next season, and experiencing knee tendonitis the last 2 seasons,compounded by the fact that his value may never be higher, expect the possibility that Iggy may go for high profile big, something they won't be able to obtain in the draft. Replacing Lou Williams, their team leader in points, points per minute,PER,FTs, and a super steady hand (3 to 1 assist to turnover ratio) should never be deemed an easy replacement..Look for Lou as a Net if Deron Williams leaves...Say it ain't so. — 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.
