I thought it only fitting that the first real post on the ReclinerGM Sports blog be related to big upcoming decisions for new Sixers’ GM - Ed Stefanski. So let me start by setting the stage…
Fact: The Sixers will likely be the only team with enough cap space to be a major player for a big time free agent next summer. Why? 22 NBA teams are either over or within $4 million of the luxury tax threshold. So what, right? You gotta pay to win in pro sports, right? Yes, but the trend of late has owners being more frugal and pulling back the reigns on NBA GMs’ spending sprees.
With that said the Sixers might not have enough money to offer a max deal if:
- They have a large cap hold for a top first-round draft pick. At 10-14 they are only a half game out of the 8th playoff spot. Figure in a weak Eastern Conference, their propensity to compete every night, especially now since everyone is playing for a job next season under Stefanski and this point is still to be determined.
- Stefanski decides to give big deals to both Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams who are both restricted free-agents. Speaking of Iggy, what the hell was he thinking turning down a $57 million contract extension? With Philadelphia the only team out there to pay him big time money it makes his decision that much more DUMB!
First thing to consider - do you re-sign Iggy? More importantly do you pay him more than what was already offered if there happens to be another team competing for him? PSST here’s a hint: HELL NO! You don’t over pay for a non all-star. A guy who is widely considered a 2nd tier player. If that’s not enough, look at his numbers. As his shot attempts go up, his turnovers per game (3.6 - most of his career) are also going up and his shooting % (43.9% - worst of his career) are going down. Don’t get me wrong I want him on the Sixers but not for top superstar money.
Ok, I think you get the picture. Here are what I consider to be the top free agents this upcoming summer worth considering.
Tier 1 Players: These players have an “early termination option” in their contracts and can become unrestricted free-agents.
1. Elton Brand, Clippers - As long as he completely recovers from his Achilles injury he will be the most talented and most coveted player available, not to mention the low-post scorer that has been absent from the Sixers since Charles Barkley.
2. Gilbert Arenas, Wizards - Personally, I love his blog, his personality and his ability to score, but how much different is he than the last real super star (see #6) we had in Philly that everyone gave up on?
3. Shawn Marion, Suns - Great defender, rebounder and runs the floor like a race horse. But at 30 years old and reliant on a good point guard to get him the ball in order to score, do we really want to pay him top dollar?
4. Baron Davis, Warriors - In my opinion the best guard on the board and having the best season of his career. At 29 he is obviously vying for a long-term contract.
5. Jermaine O’Neal, Pacers - Has been injury-prone the last few seasons. He is only 29, and the big question is whether he can stay healthy.
6. Allen Iverson, Nuggets - AI back in Philly. In my dreams!
7. Ron Artest, Kings - 4 years ago he would have been a great signing.
Tier 2 Players: The 2004 draft class. These guys are restricted free agents.
1. Luol Deng, Bulls - Do you like him better than Iggy?
2. Emeka Okafor, Bobcats
3. Shaun Livingston, Clippers - Would love to have him if he can recover from that devastating injury.
Tier 3 Players: These are the no strings attached unrestricted free agents.
1. Antawn Jamison, Wizards
2. Patrick O’Bryant, Warriors - He was the No. 9 pick in the ‘06 draft and a 7-footer with upside. With GS bringing in Brandon Wright we may be able to steal a quality big away.
There you have it. Stefanski really has his work cut out for him. But I ask all the “ReclinerGMs” out there - what would you do?
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9 comments ↓
[...] You’re the Sixers’ new GM - What would you do summer 2008? Posted Today at 05:14 PM by highlite15 The Sixers will likely be the only team with enough cap space to be a major player for a big time free agent next summer. Why? 22 NBA teams are either over or within $4 million of the luxury tax threshold. So what, right? You gotta pay to win in pro sports, right? Yes, but the trend of late has owners being more frugal and pulling back the reigns on NBA GMs’ spending sprees. Full story… [...]
Great web page look forward to seeing more. Good luck!!!!!!!
[...] be the defining time for this franchise given the circumstances explained in the previous posts (1, 2). It will either be the changing of the tide for the Sixers or the continued agony of their [...]
[...] when, not if, Andre Miller would be traded, essentially conceding the season. What to do with the abundance of cap space Stefanski will have to play with and who the Sixers could get in the upcoming NBA [...]
[...] You’re the Sixers’ new GM - What would you do summer 2008? - Many things have changed since I wrote this post so make sure you take it in the right context (December 2007). [...]
While a lot of talk has centered around signing available free agents, I think the important think is to plan for what happens if we can’t/don’t sign Elton Brand. What I would do:
Do anything in our power to have a 2nd first round draft pick this year, anywhere in the 14 - 22 range. Two 1st round picks are incredibly important this year, because we need to address two of our needs: a PG to groom, and a project big man. IMO, we should draft:
1. DJ Augustine. Love this guy’s talent…not a dominant force like a Paul, Deron, etc…but certainly a very, very talented college PG with incredible ball handling, a nice mix of passing and scoring, can run a half court offense, and most importantly, can shoot the three ball, addressing another major need.
2. Potential available big men from 14-22 (Beasley, Brooks, Love & D’Andre Jordan will be gone):
–Anthony Randolph. If this guy IS here…I doubt he will be, but this should be our man. One of the few two way big men in the draft, an amazing one on one and team defender, great shot blocker, and actually has a pivot game as well. Lanky, wirey frame like Prince, but he can build that up in time.
–Darrel Arthur. +: NBA-ready body, huge talent and ceiling, is a team player, has slowly developed a nice post game. -: Needs to get better at rebounding, needs to assert himself more offensively, needs a jumpshot.
–Kosta Koufos: 7′0 finesse Euro guy…that has some toughness as well. He should stay in school, and is not ready for the NBA. +Great jumpshot, nice array of turnarounds, hustles. -: Bad shot selection, needs more aggression, needs a back to the basket game.
–Jason Thompson: This year’s annual 6′11, 20 pts 10 rbs guy from a small D-I school (Rider). These guys are pretty hit and miss, who knows.
–Donte Green: 6′9 PF from Syracuse, +: Has some freakish NBA talent, jump out of the building athletic, great outside shot, NBA body, not afraid to put a team on his shoulders. -: Huge danger of the Sheed Wallace/Chris Webber factor, and falling in love with the outside shot, is immature, shies away from playing a post game, horrendous shot selection, mediocre defense at best.
–Javale McGree: An overrated scrubb that people are high on because he showed flashes this year, and should be returning to school.
Out of the above…I think Anthony Randolph should be who we target as “our man”…if available…if not, I like Darrel Arthur’s upside as a project to work with.
DJ Augustine & Darrel Arthur would be an A+ draft, even if one doesn’t quite meet his potential.
Also, if Iguodala is signed and traded, I would strongly think about drafting Brandon Rush to have in the wings as an actual 3 point shooting guard.
I also want to add Richard Hendrix in the mix of available bigs, one of the most underated big guys in the country, and very similar to Paul Millsap as far as rebounding, energy and hustle, except with a far superior offensive game. HUGE body, even though he’s only 6′8-6′9, he would make a great addition to bolster our bench.
Dave T if I am not mistaken the only pick we have is the 16th pick in the first round as of right now. So that means 1 draftee and a little over $11M in cap space to go after a free agent.
Pete and I will definitely do a Sixers draft board and free agent board as well. But we need to wait until after the draft order is set and the players that didn’t sign with an agent make up their mind.
I love Brandon Rush and would actually rather have him than Rodney Carney. This is probably one of the most anticipated summers for as a Sixers fan.
Yup, that’s my point Dannie…we need to trade to get another 1st round pick in the 14-22 range. I’d be all about giving up Rodney Carney or Willie Green for a 1st round pick this year…or if we wind up trading either of the Andre’s, to make sure we get a 1st round pick for this year in return.
It’s a shame we don’t have three first round picks this year from the AI trade…we could potentially land a solid 3 point shooting PG, a project big man, and a vet SG.
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