Offseason Overview: Philadelphia 76ers

June 30, 2009 10:15am CDT

The 76ers had high expectations entering last season after landing Elton Brand in the summer. However, Brand only lasted 29 games, and Maurice Cheeks was fired after starting 9-14. Tony DiLeo took over and the team eventually made it into the playoffs as the sixth seed. While Thaddeus Young settled in as a starter and rookie Marreese Speights showed a lot of potential, Samuel Dalembert was one of the bigger disappointments of the NBA season. This summer's plans revolve around the point guard situation, where an old hand might leave the Sixers with a hole.

Cap situation: $59.7 million committed to 10 players. League salary cap estimated at $58 million for 2009-2010 season. These figures do not include rookie contracts.

Returning players: Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand, Thaddeus Young, Samuel Dalembert, Louis Williams, Willie Green, Marreese Speights, and Jason Smith. Jason Kapono added via trade with the Raptors.

Rookies: Jrue Holiday

Key free agents: Andre Miller, Theo Ratliff, Kareem Rush, and Royal Ivey.

Five Burning Questions

1) How much is too much to retain Andre Miller?
Miller showed up in Philadelphia 25 games into the 2006-07 season and almost got the busted-up Sixers into the playoffs. The squad made the postseason in the next two seasons under his leadership, albeit both times they were bounced in the first round. Following their playoff exit this season, Miller skipped the team's final meeting without providing an excuse. While the conservative point guard is now 33, he figures to be a valuable commodity on the free agent market this summer. Perhaps the veteran's biggest achievement is that he has missed just three games in his 10-year career. His last two seasons have seen him shoot his best rates and score more often, but his assists have slipped some. He rarely shoots three-pointers, and his defense is fading fast. The Sixers would like to have him back, even though he has never been past the first round in his career. However, the Trail Blazers will be in pursuit and are said to be willing to send Steve Blake back to Philly. I think Miller is set to get more than he's worth this summer. In fact, I think three years and $21 million would be about as high as I would go. The problem is that the Sixers need someone to play the point and Louis Williams is probably not that guy. Blake wouldn't be bad at all, plus his contract is expiring. He's faster than Miller and can hit three-pointers, something Philly desperately needs. Other free-agent point guards include Jason Kidd, Mike Bibby, and former-Sixer Allen Iverson. I think the Sixers should part ways with the aging Miller. Their cap situation looks tough as it is for the next couple seasons, and overpaying for Miller would come back to haunt them.

2) Will anybody take Samuel Dalembert?
Please? The center took a big step backwards last season, and he only saw 24.8 minutes per game over his 82 appearances. The seven-footer's 6.4 scoring average was his lowest rate since his rookie season in 2001-02. Following the season, he requested a trade. There are a handful of teams that could use a starting center, but they may balk at the size of his contract, which owes him $23.36 million over the next two seasons. The Sixers would likely have to take more salary back in return for Dalembert. Teams that could use him include: the Suns, Piston, Pacers, Spurs, and perhaps the Mavericks and Jazz. The Pacers are said to be shopping T.J. Ford, so there may be something to be worked out there. The Suns desperately needs a man in the middle. If the 76ers could somehow swindle Jason Richardson from the Suns, whose contract is the same length but worth $4.4 million more than Dalembert's, I think they would have to pull that trigger.

3) What can we expect from Elton Brand this time around?
Brand was brought in last summer with a huge five-year, $82 million contract despite missing most of the previous season with a ruptured left Achilles tendon. He got off to a slow start with the Sixers as an early hamstring injury lingered into December. Shortly after returning to the team, Brand suffered a shoulder injury which eventually required season-ending surgery. On the season, he appeared in only 29 games, and the Sixers were just 13-16 with him in the lineup. They went 28-25 without him. Despite 10 double-doubles in his first 21 games, he was generally viewed as a hindrance to the team's up-tempo style. New coach Eddie Jordan will install a Princeton offense, and Brand will serve as its anchor. He should be 100 percent for the start of training camp, and if the team moves Dalembert, Brand would likely start the season at center, despite being just 6-foot-8. His bulk and wingspan should make up for it. For his career, he has averaged 2.1 blocks and 10.1 rebounds per game. Moving him to the middle would allow them to continue to start Thaddeus Young and Andre Iguodala at the forward spots. Assuming he adapts to the new offense, which should be better suited for his talents, and he stays healthy, Brand's numbers should resemble the type of production that he is getting paid for - 18 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks on 48 percent shooting.

4) Was Eddie Jordan the right choice?
Jordan is certainly an interesting choice to run this outfit. His Princeton offense is conducive to slow play, perimeter shooting, slashers, and a post presence that can pass. Well, the 76ers were the worst three-point shooting squad in the league last season, their center averaged 0.2 assists per game, and the team prided itself on its transition offense. He's pretty much a .500 coach, which is good enough to crack the playoffs in the East, but probably not good enough to get past the first round. Hiring Jordan signals a change in philosophy in Philadelphia, so expect a roster shake up in the months ahead. Trading Reggie Evans for Jason Kapono was certainly a sign of things to come. Moving Andre Miller and Samuel Dalembert seem like the next steps.

5) Where does Iguodala play?

Following the acquisition of Brand, then-coach Maurice Cheeks said that his other star would be moved from his natural small forward position out to shooting guard and Young would take over the forward spot. The move failed miserably. In 21 starts at the guard spot, Iggy-Hop averaged 14.2 points, 6.6 boards, and 5.1 assists on .420/.255/.704. In 60 starts at small forward, he produced 20.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists on .486/.317/.729. Clearly, he was a better player in the front court. With Brand back and Young deserving of a starting role, it remains to be seen how the three forwards will be used next season. However, given Dalembert's trade request and Iguodala's success at small forward, I imagine Iguodala will remain in his natural position, Young will play power forward, and Brand will man the center position.

Ideal Situation: I think that the team needs to accept a sign-and-trade deal with Miller, as long as they get a starter in return. Steve Blake seems to be a good fit for Jordan's offense. Moving Dalembert will be the second major thing on the agenda. Can they take advantage of the Suns' lack of a center and desire to shed money and obtain Richardson for Dalembert? Ideally, yes. They then welcome back a healthy, rich, and motivated Brand and a healthy Smith while adding young Jrue Holiday and three-point specialist Jason Kapono. Finally, adding a cheap big man would be a good idea to help bolster their frontline.

Resulting Depth Chart
PG: Steve Blake/Louis Williams
SG: Jason Richardson/Jrue Holiday/Willie Green
SF: Andre Iguodala/Jason Kapono
PF: Thaddeus Young/Jason Smith/Shelden Williams
C: Elton Brand/Marreese Speights

Strengths: Athleticism, perimeter shooting, passing, speed
Weaknesses: Rebounding, depth, too short?