With all the chatter and buzz of the NBA rumor mill, not much has been said on the 76ers. If I were Ed Stefanski, I would pick up the phone right now, and make the calls to legitimize them as a playoff bound team.
The 76ers have the pieces, Andre Iguodala, Lou Williams, Marreese Speights, or even Thaddeus Young. Here are 5 deals I believe would improve this franchise, as well as could be made.
Al Jefferson has been reported on the block and team President David Kahn hasn’t denied that fact. Jefferson is a 6-10, 265 pound center, who can bring good things to a weak frontcourt in which the 76ers possess. He can grab boards (9.3 boards per game) and can put the ball in the basket, (17 ppg). He would improve the 76ers team all around, and will allow the progressing Spencer Hawes to learn from a real Center of how to play the game. As for Andre Iguodala’s spot, it can be obtained by Thaddeus Young, a proven starter at the 3 spot. Thaddeus has been in the weight room, all offseason, trying to get stronger and to take on a bigger role from his disappointment of a season of last year.
The T-Wolves will happily do it, as they get a solid player who fits well for them. The salaries match, and Al Jefferson has wanted out for a while now.
This trade will work for both teams, the 76ers get a young star center in David Lee and an expiring contract in Eddy Curry. In this deal the 76ers can improve their frontcourt, while the Knicks can add a (potential lottery) pick and a decent player who adds more than the out of shape and useless Curry, and a good bench scorer in Lou. The salaries match up similarly, and David Lee can get his Max contract this way. This way, the 76ers cut Elton Brand’s salary in half and produce a star center, and a useless expiring one. Next year, it clears cap space for the 76ers, so it turns into a win win situation for everyone.
The Denver Nuggets are reportedly ready to trade Carmelo Anthony, if he doesn’t sign his contract extension of 3 years $66.01 mil. Taking on Carmelo would give us a SF that works better with Evan Turner, since “Melo” is a great shooter, and does many of the little things right. A star like this (averaged 30.7 ppg in the playoffs) doesn’t become available every day, and he could fit this team perfectly. Even if he does not agree to extend with the 76ers, it clears up the cap space from two extremely long contracts. A player like Carmelo could help with the growth and development of Evan Turner. The Nuggets will be open to it because believe it or not, Iguodala has trade value! Also, they get a good bench scoring option, and a 1st round pick. Sounds like a winner of a deal for the 76ers, and works well with the Nuggets.
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