Will the Remaining Free Agents Make the Sixers a Contender?

Most of the major NBA free agency moves have already been made. The time is now for teams to fill their bench, grab some role players, and add depth to last seasons roster in hopes of improving their squad. As I previously wrote, the Philadelphia 76ers are at an impasse with their aging point guard, Andre Miller, who is a free agent after playing admirably the past 2+ seasons in Philadelphia. The Sixers refuse to offer Miller a multi year deal because, honestly, it just doesn’t make much sense.

Philadelphia is definitely a young team on the rise in the Eastern Conference. Even though they went out and signed Elton Brand before last season, which went horribly bad, to go along with Iguodala, Young, Speights and co, they still are not among the top 4 teams in the East. I hate to say it, but they just aren’t as good as Boston, Cleveland, Orlando, or even Washington. Many casual NBA fans argue that Miller has been an integral part of taking the young Sixers to the playoffs, which is entirely true, so why not sign the steady veteran for a few years to allow Jrue Holiday time to develop? Let’s face it, the 76ers are already hamstrung with multi year deals to Iguodala, Brand, and the underacheiving Dalembert. If they sign Miller to another long term deal, the team will be essentially stuck in the same position they are now, a #6 to #8 seed in the playoffs for the length of his deal.They have been just good enough to make the playoffs and miss out on getting some really good draft picks yet obviously not talented enough to challenge for a title.

The latest that I’ve heard is that Philadelphia is interested in former Indiana malcontent, Jamal Tinsley or C.J Watson from Golden State. Both are bad moves. Tinsley, although talented, hasn’t played any meaningful minutes in over a year while in Larry Bird’s doghouse for the Pacers because of his many off the court issues. Watson is another backup point guard who became expendable once they drafted Steph Curry, acquired Acie Law, and that Monta Ellis has recovered from injuries.

Their real need is for a shooting guard who can knock down some 3 point shots. Lou Williams, entering his 5th season in the NBA, has more than earned his shot at playing the point. He was originally drafted 4 years ago as A.I’s replacement. He averaged more than 13 points and 4 assists coming off of the bench last season. The only other viable options include securing Ramon Sessions from Milwaukee(12.4 points and 5.7 assists), former 6th man of the year Bobby Jackson(7 points and 3 assists), or Washington’s Juan Dixon(5.2 points and 2.4 assists). Only Sessions would be an upgrade from Williams. Although they probably won’t consider it, Iverson still hasn’t signed, making the price to get him a little lower. A.I. would solve all of their problems and maybe make them a contender, but would bring old problems back with him to Philly. I’m not sure someone putting up 30+ shots a game is part of new coach, Eddie Jordan’s Princeton style offense.

So, why not save some money, add a role player to mentor Holiday for a season or two. Maybe after next season some unsuspecting team will take Dalembert’s expiring contract in 10′-11′ off your hands, the young nucleus has another year to develop, and you get lucky and land a “B” level free agent like Michael Redd or Rip Hamilton in the magical 2010 free agent class.