2008 76ers Offseason Thread

[reese125]

76ers prez Stefanski wants to keep Cheeks, Iguodala

By DAN GELSTON, AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA (AP)—The 76ers want coach Maurice Cheeks and guard Andre Iguodala to stick around for longer than one more season.

Adding a top-tier power forward and a 3-point shooter via free agency or trade would be nice additions, too, for a Sixers team suddenly on the rise in the East.

No doubt, this will be a busy summer for team president Ed Stefanski.

"There's no question that we're a team that's moving in the right direction," Stefanski said. "So from that standpoint, I would think we'd be attractive to free agents. And the bottom line is the dollar, so people will want to know if we have the money to pay guys and we're sitting in a nice cap situation right now."

The 76ers have about $11 million in salary cap space and plenty of buzz following a surprising playoff berth. Stefanski, in his first offseason running the show, believes the Sixers can be players in the free-agent market. Stefanski said on Wednesday he will be active in trying to fill all of Philadelphia's roster needs.
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"The perfect situation is to get a power forward, but I'm not going to be distraught if we don't get one because we'll add some pieces to do it a different way," Stefanski said.

Before he signs some players, Stefanski would like to work out a new deal with Cheeks. The popular third-year coach started the season in the final year of his original three-year deal and appeared on his way out once former GM Billy King was fired in December. Cheeks acknowledged losing his job "absolutely crossed my mind" once King was let go and Stefanski left his job with the Nets to take over.

Instead, Stefanski and Cheeks agreed to a one-year extension in late February. Once the Sixers took off over the final 34 games and made the playoffs, Stefanski said he realized Cheeks was the right man for the job.

Stefanski has not met with Cheeks yet to discuss an extension, but hopes to sit down with the former All-Star guard some time over the next few months.

"His handling of the players was good when I got here, Stefanski said. "It just solidified my thoughts."

More cloudy is the organization's view of Iguodala. Iguodala rejected a $57 million contract extension offered at the start of the season, and appeared to make it look like a wise choice with a solid regular season. Iguodala, though, has always been knocked for being a complementary player and not a true No. 1 star—something shown with awful performances in the six-game series against Detroit.

Philadelphia will hold a right of first refusal on any offer from another team, or Iguodala could sign a one-year qualifying offer and become an unrestricted free agent next year. Stefanski wants him back, even though another $57 million offer might not be on the table.

"I think Andre Iguodala is a good fit for our team," Stefanski said. "Is he the (No.) '1' man on our team? He has to prove that, but I'll take a lot of Andre Iguodalas on our team."

The Sixers also could negotiate an extension with Andre Miller. The guard, who was outstanding for the Sixers and had a career-best scoring average, wants to see what moves they make before deciding if he wants to commit beyond next season. He's signed through next year, so Stefanski is in no rush to extend the deal.

"I don't see it as a priority," he said.

Stefanski said the 76ers likely won't go over the NBA's luxury tax threshold, but the organization would pay the dollar-for-dollar penalty if they could find "a star who can turn us totally around."

[ice grillin you]

Will Sixers Make A Run At Wilcox?

Ed Stefanski might consider making a run at the SuperSonics' Chris Wilcox. The 25-year-old Wilcox has good size (6-foot-10, 235 pounds), likes to play with his back to the basket -- the Sixers desperately need a low-post scorer -- and is heading into the final year of his contract (he'll earn $6.75 million).

Would Seattle be willing to take Utah's first-rounder for Wilcox?

[phattymatty]

Thad named to all-rookie 2nd team.

[reese125]

I dig his game..but nobody will remember that accolade

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Chad Ford's latest mock has the Sixers taking Marreese Speights, under the assumption they aren't going to get Elton Brand.

[hunt]

easy ed mentioned something about possibly trading up in the draft & sounds like they'll def pick a pf/c...also read a rumor of zach randolph & the #6 pick to philly for reggie evans & the #16 pick.
sixers haven't had a fat, lazy, left-handed pf since dc so randolph would definitely fill a need.

[BigEd76]

Seems like every mock has them taking Speights or Donte Greene.  Greene worked out with the Sixers on Saturday, along with a couple of St. Joe's players and some Russian guy.  Today's the deadline for underclassmen to make a final decision on staying in.  Speights is staying....the 3 kids from Kansas are staying.....the 3 kids from UNC are out....

[Sgt PSN]

Super Mario should have stayed at KU for one more year. 

[BigEd76]

Who the recent mocks have the Sixers taking:

Comcast SportsNet 6/19 = Darrell Arthur
CNNSI 6/19 = DeAndre Jordan
Chad Ford (ESPN.com) 6/17 = Marreese Speights
Draft Ace 6/17 = Brandon Rush
ProBasketballNews.com 6/17 = Kosta Koufos
Draft Express 6/17 = Kosta Koufos
NBADraft.net 6/16 = Darrell Arthur
RealGM 6/16 = Donte Greene
Sports XChange 6/6 = Donte Greene

[ice grillin you]

kosta koufos or donte green would be terrible picks...they dont need big guys that like to shoot threes...if you wanna shooter draft a shooter and if you wanna banger draft a banger but dont take one of these guys

[BigEd76]

ESPN

Some say Atlanta doesn't want to go above $11 million per year to sign restricted free agent Josh Smith. If that's the case, look for Smith to end up in Philadelphia.

The Sixers would love to get Elton Brand, but word is that he doesn't want to take a pay cut from the $16 million-plus he's due next season -- except to go to Miami.

So with Brand pretty much out of the question, Philly will look at Smith and Antawn Jamison. The Sixers can start either one at $11 million with 8 percent annual increases.

Smith, by the way, would fit perfectly in Philly's up-tempo, run-and-jump system. But I think Atlanta must match whatever offer he gets. If they don't re-sign him, they'll lose all the momentum they gained by taking Boston to seven games, not to mention a great budding young talent.

[ice grillin you]

i like him i just dont know if hes the kind of 'power' forward they need

[BigEd76]

He's not 6'11" but he's a good all-around player already, fits the Sixers' style perfectly, doesn't turn 23 until December and doesn't have the injury history of Brand.  I think he'd be an All-Star already if he didn't play for Atlanta...


top 10 plays of 06-07 season (the sound at 1:08 is sick)


top 10 blocks of 2007


2005 dunk contest - dunks over Kenyon Martin

[ice grillin you]

id defintely rather have him than brand because of the injury...dont get me wrong id be fine with smith but hes not a true power forward...and depsite his shots blocked hes not a very good defender...more of a back side shot blocker type guy which is not what the sixers really need and he cant check anyone...but how could you complain if they got a talent like him

[MDS]

so hes a smaller version of dalembert but with coordination?