5 Philadelphia 76ers Players Who Won't Be Around in 2013

What was once a promising season has become quite the disappointment. The Philadelphia 76ers have taken two steps backward as they've gone from division leader to more familiar territory: struggling to keep it together as the playoffs approach.

At the heart of these issues are a handful of players who have suffered from injuries, inconsistency and the one thing the NBA has never been able to escape: father time. Come the offseason, it's more than likely that the Philadelphia 76ers will replace these players via free agency.

Don't think that the struggling players are the only ones in danger of leaving Philadelphia, though; fan favorites could be on the way out as well, as expiring or hefty contracts could alienate more than a few players.

Here's a list of players who will not be with the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2013 NBA season.

Elton Brand, Power Forward

Contract SItuation: Five Years, $79.8 Million, Early Termination Option

This is not to suggest Elton Brand will execute his early termination option. Instead, this is to suggest the Philadelphia 76ers will be looking to save a serious chunk of change and utilize Brand in a draft-related trade.

What must be noted is that, despite playing at an elderly 33, Brand continues to produce at a high level. While his statistics display him as a shell of his former self in terms of scoring the basketball, his 25-point outburst against the Hawks and 20-point outing against the Raptors show that he's still capable of putting up big points.

He's also averaged 3.3 blocks over the Sixers' past three games.

Unfortunately, he's 33, will command greater than $18 million in 2013 and has young forwards Lavoy Allen and Craig Brackins behind him in the pursuit of playing time. When you take into account the Sixers' potential pursuit of a young shooting guard or power forward, such as O.J. Mayo or Ryan Anderson, it's clear something's got to give. Unfortunately for Brand, it's going to be him on the way out.

Season Averages: 18.51 PER - 11.0 PPG - 7.3 RPG - 1.7 BPG - 1.1 SPG

Jodie Meeks, Shooting Guard

Contract Situation: Three Years, $2.3 Million, Expiring

If you think a fellow contender will pass up on the opportunity to sign a knock-down shooter who can be deadly from distance, you're fooling yourself. If you think that Jodie Meeks will want to play behind a fellow youngster at shooting guard, it becomes even harder to agree.

While Meeks has been far from the player who scored 54 points in one game while attending Kentucky, he's a pure scorer who thrives from beyond the arc. A team such as the Los Angeles Lakers could certainly benefit from signing Meeks as they improve one of their weakest areas: three-point shooting.

They, like many in the NBA, could also offer him a true mentor at the 2. That sounds much more ideal for Meeks than trailing a fellow sub-25 year-old player.

Watch out for the Memphis Grizzlies as a dark horse contender for Meeks' services.

Season Averages: 12.09 PER - 8.4 PPG - 2.5 RPG - 38.3% 3PT

Lou Williams, Guard

Contract Status: Five Years, $26 Million, Early Termination Option

While Philadelphia will be all but desperate to keep Lou Williams, it's hard to imagine him passing up an opportunity to become a starting point guard elsewhere. After all, Williams is an "Atlanta guy."

Don't be too shocked to see the Atlanta Hawks attempt to bring in a player like Williams to take over the reins for combo guard Jeff Teague. Just cross your fingers that the 76ers fail to let that happen and finally enter contract talks with Williams.

Season Averages: 26.1 MPG - 15.3 PPG - 3.5 APG - 2.3 RPG

Spencer Hawes, Center

Current Contract: One Year, $4.05 Million, Expiring

Spencer Hawes, 23,  has developed into one of the more promising young centers in the NBA. He has utilized his 7'1" frame to average 7.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots despite playing just 26.1 minutes per game.

With numerous teams in dire need of an upgrade at the 5, it's hard to imagine the 76ers will be the only team attempting to lock Hawes up for the long run.

Despite missing 29 games thus far in the 2012 regular season, Hawes remains regarded as one of the best free agents available. His combination of size and low-maintenance production is ideal for any contender.

Due to this fact, it's hard to imagine the 76ers will be able to afford Hawes' contract and bring back their other young free agents, including LaVoy Allen and Sam Young.

Season Averages: 17.97 PER - 9.7 PPG - 7.8 RPG - 2.7 APG - 1.2 BPG

Tony Battie, Center

Contract Situation: One Year, $854,389, Expiring

Tony Battie is one of the more respected veterans in the NBA. He also plays a position in which a surplus of young players are coming about, including fellow free agent Sixers Spencer Hawes and LaVoy Allen. If the Sixers are looking to re-sign either of those players, it'll be hard to imagine they'll create a position battle with the veteran Battie.

While retirement is certainly an option, I imagine Battie ending up on a contending team in need of depth in the front court. Don't count Battie out for a few more runs at an ever-elusive NBA Championship.

Season Averages: 11.3 MPG - 7.91 PER - 1.7 PPG - 2.7 RPG