Haven’t had much time to write lately just been swamped with work and a lot of summer league games. This is just a round-up of some recent Sixers-related news (basketball, not off-the-court. I am ignoring the Iguodala’s baby momma drama) to spark some discussion over the weekend. Have at it.
Royal Ivey Opts Out
Apparently this was the plan all a long according to Ivey’s agent. I think he and his agent are a little delusional if they think Ivey is worth more than the veteran’s minimum period, let alone in this economy.
“This was really the plan all along,” said Glass, Ivey’s agent. “The player option was my idea, to ensure Royal against injury. Now, the plan is to get him a contract that more accurately reflects his contributions to a team. This has nothing to do with the Sixers, because he’d like to go back with them. From our standpoint, this is very amicable; we plan to speak with them after July 1.” – Philly.com
I doubt the Sixers would resign him for more money. Just wouldn’t make much sense. Good luck, Royal, it was good to watch someone give consistent effort, improve a weakness (shooting) and play some defense.
Unsubstantiated Samuel Dalembert Trade Rumor
A rumor popped up this week that has Samuel Dalembert going to the Charlotte Bobcats for Nazr Mohammed and Vladimir Radmanovic, with the Sixers either getting a second-round pick in the NBA draft or swapping first-round picks (17 for 12) with the Bobcats.
Here is the trade machine. The deal works straight up (picks have no monetary trade value). Financially we are taking on a little more than $800K in additional salary next season and a little more than $1.5M total. The contract duration of both incoming players is the same with one difference; Mohammed’s and Radmanovic’s final year are player options.
Let me first ask you all – do you do this deal? Second, let me ask why? With the qualifier that “I don’t like Dalembert” as the reason doesn’t count. What is your legitimate basketball reason?
The alternative is to just wait out Sammy’s contract one more year when it becomes much more valuable as trade bait with only one more year left. So if Charlotte would do this deal right now you gamble on whether you can get a better deal at next off-season or at the one of the next two trade deadlines.
Update:
A number of reports have surfaced over a potential Bobcats-Sixers trade that would send Samuel Dalembert and the No. 17 pick to Charlotte for Nazr Mohammed, Vladimir Radmanovic and the No. 12 pick.
While I was able to confirm that the Bobcats indeed made the pitch, the Sixers just as quickly shot it down.- Chad Ford
B.J. Mullens Working Out
Mullens and Randy Ayers are working out today with the Sixers. The word that Mullens would be in town came not too long after the Sammy trade rumor so people quickly started to tie the two together. I just think we still have a few days before the draft, Mullens is in the Sixers’ draft tier, and they are doing their due diligence. If they are confident Andre Miller is coming back, that they addressed their shooting needs with Kapono and expect to start Iguodala at two, center depth is probably next on the list.
Mullens was projected as not only a lottery pick but a guy in contention for the top spot coming out of high school. That was how high his talent was rated. He had a mediocre freshman season, but his size and physical tools are still impressive. He is still raw and lacks polish. The knock on him is kind of the same as with Speights last year in that he isn’t strong defensively and has questionable work ethic and inconsistent effort.
Even if the Sixers could acquire another pick a little behind their 17th pick and a number of points are still on the board I am not sure I would take Mullens. I think the Sixers really need to add a two-way player at center with defense still the priority. Mullens has potential, but I prefer a defender with offensive potential than the other way around when looking at center prospects right now.
Sixers Use Advanced Statistical Models to Analyze the Draft
I can tell you that for most of the more sophisticated front offices in the league, statistical analysis plays a very significant role in the draft process. Teams like the Rockets, Mavericks, Celtics, Thunder, Spurs, Sixers, Nuggets (I could go on and on) may use slightly different formulas and methodologies, but all of them are using statistical models to analyze the draft. For a handful of teams, what they find is a major factor in whom they choose to draft. – Chad Ford
The Sixers are considered one of the more sophisticated front offices? Is that news to just me? That does bode well for Ty Lawson being the pick if he is still on the board at 17 as many statisticians and teams have Ty rated as one of the top prospects (not just point guard) in the entire draft when looking at his college production.
Elton Brand Available?
League executives say Philadelphia 76ers’ forward Elton Brand and the four years and $65 million left on his contract are available. But as one Western Conference GM said: “Who’s going to take that with him missing 130 games in the past two years?” – Yahoo Sports
I see absolutely no way the Sixers are able to move Brand right now even if they really want to (Which I don’t believe they do. I just think he is not off limits if teams inquire). If he has a strong year this season his value goes up tremendously. But then the question will be with him playing well, shouldn’t we just keep him?
Eddie Jordan Filling Out His Coaching Staff
Lynam will join new assistant Mike O’Koren and holdover assistant Aaron McKie. The source said assistants Jeff Ruland, John Loyer and Bernie Smith will not return.
I am assuming O’Koren is the lead assistant, and I don’t know much about him. My questions are who is the defensive mind on the bench? What role is McKie playing? Get the damn shooting coach Dave Hopla in here asap.
That’s all I got for now. Will have a final Sixers draft post up in a couple days.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Well, since you’re telling me I can’t use “I hate Sam Dalembert with a fiery passion that burns with the intensity of 1000 suns” as an excuse for wanting him traded, I won’t. I have to agree that at this point trading him would be kind of foolish. From a business standpoint, I’m looking forward to using his forthcoming expiring deal as trade bait. If he can just give us 10 boards, 8-10 points, and 2 blocks a game I’ll turn the fire down.
Dannie,
Yes. You do this deal. Mohammed plays Sammy’s deserved role. 15-20 minutes a game. Rad plays Donyell’s role(He’s let go) but plays every game. The team hemistry improves. Main issue would be the center rotation but I would see the minutes rotated between Mohammed, Smith, Speights & Brand depending on the oposition.
I don!t do the Sammy deal mainly because of the Kapono deal.We are getting softer and softer and ,yes, I hope our new coach can “get through” to him.Smith may not be ready and Spieghts isn!t ready to play the 5.I like Mohammed but not for more than 15 min. a night.Kapono ,to me, is a frontcourt score, in spite of all the 2 guard talk and I want a s.g. that can hit the 3 and would rather fill the roster with guys that will be here,young, when we are ready to compete.We may only carry 13 or 14 guys so after draft night,spots may be limited.I didn!t want Lynum back but he was part of his staff before so can understand it. As far as McKie, is he the defensive guru of the future? I hope so but couldn!t tell last year. If Lawson is there the decision is simple, if not it will be very interesting.I believe one guy will be there that nobody expected , but who will that be? I, for one, will miss Royal at the end of games, a young defensive guy to mold, would be nice if he can also shoot [D.Green,T.Douglas,D.Brown?].
On sportsnight tonight,630 and 1000 oclock Stefanski will discuss his young players and draft philosophy, probably won!t say much but worth a look, I guess.
Dannie, I want to give you a Detroit scenerio and see if it is possible. If K.Brown reupps [4.1 player option] and they sign Boozer and Gordon 24 mill. combined] would this be possible? We trade Sam for Brown and A.Johnson [8 mill. combined].Our benefit; A.Johnson has good per 36 min. #s [10 pts.,10reb.,3 blocks] and gets one year audition with us.Same with Brown. Detroit gets Sam for 3.5 mill. for one year and he becomes trade asset following year. If they draft Mullens, he is at least 2 years away. Could this team compete in the east.
Sam, Mullins;
Boozer,Maxiel;
Prince,Hamilton;
Gordon,Afflalo;
Stuckey,Bynum
I don’t really trust Yahoo Sports that much! That thing about Elton Brand being traded sounds like a bunch of noise with no substance. The Dalembert to Bobcats deal sounds intriguing, but who knows?
I would do the Sammy deal due to chemistry reasons. As far as him being future trade bait, you don’t lose that ability if you bring in Vlad Rad & Nazr, they expire the same year, so they can be packaged together or with Willie, who also expires that year too.
IMO, a hopefully bulked-up Speights can start next to Brand, where Brand takes the better offensive big. Smith is the primary backup at both spots, while Thad & Vlad can play at the 4 at times. Nazr is there if you need another big body(Like against Howard or Shaq).
You don’t trade Sammy at this point. Vlad can shoot the 3, but is a liability on defense. We already have a player just like that- Kapono. I don’t think Nazr is a starting center in this league so we would have to plan on starting Speights. Something I don’t think we should do because of his inconsistency on defense and on the boards. Sammy may be inconsistent, but when he wants to he can be a very useful part of our team. I think he’s a complete moron but holding on to him for one more year and biting the bullet would be in our best interest.
The only reason we do this trade is to move up in the draft and guarantee we a solid PG, and get another shooter. We can get the same thing if we wait until next season.
Rob - It’s not a rumor about Brand being traded. It’s a rumor that he is not off limits if someone were interested in trading for him. To be clear.
Suede – Adding Boozer alone puts them back up in contention with the top 3 teams.
Aside from adding talent I don’t understand the Ben Gordon to the Pistons idea in terms of fit. I mean you have Hamilton coming off the bench – why? Is he going to be okay with that? He is a career starter whereas Gordon has been the one use to coming off the bench. Would he be okay coming off the bench after getting his big contract? Is that part of the decision for him – he needs to be a starter?
Word is Detroit has a promise to Mullens. I don’t know if I believe all that but do read it as they are very interested. Adding Sam eh. He is a slight upgrade over Brown in production. Sammy is the better rebounder and shot blocker. But Brown has more body in the post defense. It’s really one of those either or situations for me depending on how you feel. I would take Sammy over Kwame all day personally.
Suede - Let me come back to you with this idea. If Boozer can be had do it. Save the rest of the cap money for the next year. There are more impact players available, if you just sign rookies and vet min guys to fill out the roster to one year deals chances are you will have even more money to get another big time guy in 2010 and you give yourself the opportunity to take advantage if the economy rebounds, the NBA thrives and the salary cap goes up a smidge. Adding Boozer still makes you better and more competitive right away as well.
I say do the trade, were supposed to either move up from 17 to 12 or get a second rounder, as the rumor goes. Radmanovich is another guy that stretches the D. These next 2 seasons are(close your eyes JJG) developmental years. I am sorry to break the truth, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t have fun during them. In 2 years our young guys will be studs, and we will be shedding Sammy’s and Willies contract to a tune of 15 million.
Not so sure if I do that deal. Giving away a good defender with a bad contract for 2 more not so good ones. Nazr is pretty much filler and I dont see how Vlad really cracks the rotation at forward with everyone we have. Essentially I don’t think the combo of Mohammad/Radmonovic is better than Sam/Donyell, and you don’t have to be comitted long term to Donyell. Even with all of Sam’s inabilities he’s still an intrical part of this team’s defense and not so sure if I’d move him now just to move up 5 spots in this draft, and a 2nd rounder could be aquired with less maneuvering. He could possibly help this team next year or be more valuable for a trade at the deadline or next off season.
Dannie, I just get the feeling that Dumars, after the A.I. for Billups trade is looking to make a big splash right away, but I may be wrong. As far as Gordon, him and Stuckey[ big enough to guard 2 guards] works for me but selling Rip on it would have to be done, but unlike with AI. this late in his career Gordon may sway Rip a little with his play.
A splash would be getting Boozer which is enough on it’s own. I think it would be a mistake over extending this summer just to make a splash. I like Gordon a lot and he adds a stronger three point shooter next to Stuckey than Hamilton is but I just don’t see how there are enough balls and shots/plays for Rip, Boozer, Stuckey and Gordon.
I honestly am not entirely sold on Stuckey as a elite player in general and even more so as a leader at the point. I think with Billups leaving you see how important it is to have that type of point guard leading a team without a dominate superstar like a Kobe, LeBron Wade etc or being the guy that makes a lot of talent work.
Or example I would be much more in favor of adding Gordon and Boozer if Billups was the point guard because I know he would be able to make it work on the court with his basketball IQ and decision making. He will know when Rips needs a play run for him, when Gordon needs to get a shot when Boozer needs his touches and when he himself needs to do his thing. I don’t at all believe Stuckey is capable of that right now or ever.
Suede - Also part of the Ben Gordon rumor suggested Rip would be traded.
I agree with you about Stuckey, I think Gordon is as much a p.g. as him, he [Stuckey] has some L.Will. in him. Doesn!t Millsap have more value because of cost and injury issues than Boozer?
Dannie, all along I thought Detroit would be the team that steals Lawson from us. If I am Dumars I move Stuckey off the ball and get my p.g. in this draft, hopefully Jennings falls to them. A Jennings,Hamilton, and Stuckey guard rotation will improve them greatly and THEN get your front line in order.
I hope Ed is seeing how available Rip actually is.
lawson
Teague
Ellington
That’s it, no longer on the maynor bandwagon.