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

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Are there solutions?  Of course there are, but in order for anything to come to fruition, the 76ers’ front office must be creative, aggressive, proactive, and productive. They must find a way to keep their core, stay competitive and provide hope for the future. There are two ways they can go about this.

Option 1: Make moves to create cap space and join in on next year’s free agency sweepstakes.

Example: Trade Green, Brand and Dalembert to Houston for guard Tracy McGrady’s expiring contract ($23 million) and forward Shane Battier. In addition to that, sign and trade Miller to Portland for guard Steve Blake and forward Travis Outlaw (both of whom have expiring contracts).

With these two transactions, the Sixers would be in position to clear almost $32 million in cap space next offseason. The worst case scenario would be that McGrady would never recover from injury, the Sixers don’t make the playoffs and they get a lottery pick in addition to their cap space.

Option #2: Take advantage of other teams situations and build a team that will compete next year.

Example 1: The Charlotte Bobcats need a power forward to take pressure off Emeka Okafor and to also move Boris Diaw to his natural “three” spot.

Trade Brand and Green there for guard Raymond Felton, forward Vladimir Radmanovic, and center DeSagana Diop. That would give the Sixers a young but experienced starting point guard, another three-point threat and a shot-blocking machine who’s not worried about offensive touches.

Example 2: Suppose Andre Miller does get the contract he wants with Portland. The Blazers are unlikely to go to the cap limit for him, so a sign and trade is quite possible.

How about a three-way trade with Miller going to Portland, center Joel Przybilla and forward Travis Outlaw going to Houston and forwards Shane Battier and Luis Scola come to Philly. It sounds crazy, especially the Rockets giving up Battier and Scola. But, Houston would obtain a true center in Przybilla to replace Yao Ming. If Ming does get healthy, Pryzybilla’s contract (along with Outlaw’s) expire after next season.

Example 3: Do the Detroit Pistons want to keep to starting shooting guards at $11 million plus per season for the next four years? My strong guess is….NO!! What Joe Dumars has to know is he needs a starting center. Rasheed is gone and Antonio McDyess is probably not far behind. 

What can the Pistons do? The used their cap space on Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. Starting Kwame Brown at center would be a sign of giving up and Detroit can’t afford to do that. It probably will never happen but Richard Hamilton for Dalembert and a conditional draft pick would be good for both sides. 

There is a third option if none of the above play out and the Sixers are forced to resort to more veteran minimum free agents to fill up the roster. There also is the possibility of Andre Miller leaving with Philadelphia getting nothing in return.

While this is probably the most realistic result, I can’t entertain that thought. As a Philly sports fan, I have to keep thinking of ways to bring a winner to this town. I just hope the decision makers feel the same way.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?