July 7, 2009: Where Do the 76ers Stand?

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Stefanski previously realized an error he made when he fired Maurice Cheeks a little over a month into the regular season. He did this after he extended Cheeks' contract last summer.

The Sixers’ draft pick probably tells the most about Stefanski’s plans are. Drafting a guard (point guard in particular) was too easy to predict. Who that guard would be was much harder. If the Sixer’s had drafted Ty Lawson from North Carolina, they would’ve obtained a player more equipped to contribute immediately. 

Philly choose a taller, but younger Jrue Holliday out of UCLA. That pick hints that the Sixers’ main objective is to establish a young, fast and talented core which may be tailor-made for Eddie Jordan’s style of play. 

If that’s the case, Stefanski’s goal needs to be to clear the Sixers of the other mistakes they’re currently dealing with. The mistakes of the previous general manager Billy King, the other mistakes Stefanski himself has made, and the prevention of future mistakes.

Billy King’s mistakes obviously were the contract extensions of Samuel Dalembert and Willie Green. Dalembert’s extension was based solely on potential even though he never really hinted that he was in the process of building on that potential.

Green’s extension in March 2006 was and still is a mystery. It was put on hold because he injured his knee August 2005, and was offered again before he proved he was fully recovered. Green’s salary isn’t enormous, but even when healthy his production is worth half of what he makes.

Neither Green nor Dalembert are going to generate a lot of phone calls of interest to Stefanski. That said, this is where Stefanski must be creative. Popular opinion states that there two players are impossible to trade, but nothing’s 100 percent impossible. There are teams that could use these guys services (Houston or Detroit anyone?).

Stefanski’s error was going for broke last summer during free agency. Lou Williams’ extension reflects that of what he is: A productive 6th man off the bench. 

The Sixers’ probably overpaid for Andre Iguodala, but he makes around the average of what he was projected to be: second fiddle to a star, No. 1 option.

Elton Brand, on the other hand, should not have ended up in Philadelphia. Even before the injury, he looked like he didn’t fit in. He wasn’t aggressive and was nowhere near the 20-10 guy he was as an L.A. Clipper. At this time, Brand doesn’t look like he’s going to be a good fit for Eddie Jordan’s system or the direction Stefanski’s going in developing a nucleus.

He’s a prime example of why you don’t eliminate cap space for years just to say, “We got the best available guy this year.”

A future mistake would be giving into Andre Miller’s contract demands. A two-year contract worth $10-$12 million would be reasonable, but the 33-year-old (yes, 33) point guard who’s far from a yhree-point threat expects 3-4 years at $10 million per year.

On the other hand, the Sixers’ can ill afford to let Miller leave without getting something in return, especially with their current cap situation. Expect Miller to end up with a contract worth around $8 million a year. A sign and trade should land the Sixers at least two productive options.

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