| Sixers Off-season Preview: Don't Expect A Roster Overhaul Authored by Brian Poliakoff - June 9, 2005 - 5:20 pm
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Billy King's first off-season decision was mostly well received in Philly.
But what will he do with this roster now that he got his man to run the show?
Let’s begin with the draft.
Don't expect a rookie to come in and make a big presence next year. The Sixers' first-round pick went to Denver in the 2002 three-way deal that brought Kenny Thomas to town from the Rockets. That pick then was sent to New Jersey and dealt again to the Raptors.
Cross your fingers for a second round steal at No.45. Billy King can now keep this pick since he acquired the final pick (No. 60) of the second round from the Jazz this week. That pick was immediately given over to Detroit to complete the 1997 deal that sent Jerry Stackhouse and Eric Montross to the Pistons in return for Theo Ratliff and Aaron McKie.
Who should King target with the No. 45 pick?
I’d like them to get a rebounding forward who can spell Chris Webber and his aching knees. Backup Marc Jackson needs to be the reserve center on this team. The occasional Jackson and Sammy Dalembert pairing just didn't work last season.
So who could be available?
My top choices: Lawrence Roberts, PF, Miss. St, Jason Maxiell, PF Cincinnati, Brandon Bass, PF, LSU, Eric Williams, PF, Wake Forest, Ryan Gomes, PF, Providence, David Lee, SF/PF, Florida, or local product Dwayne Jones, PF, St. Josephs (PA).
One of the aforementioned players could add a nice piece to a very thin Sixers' front court.
Lets shift gears to the current roster.
Billy King has to make tough decisions on three restricted free agents in Sammy Dalembert, Kyle Korver and Willie Green. King continuously is quoted as saying he intends to match any offer for all three players. I say he very well may keep all three, but don't be surprised if only two wind up back in Philly next season.
Dalembert presents the easiest decision. Sammy showed his raw blocking and rebounding potential against Detroit in the playoffs. Yes, Jim O’Brien misused him all year long and had a short fuse with him. But, Sammy shrugged it off and showed his ability in the playoffs with outstanding numbers (12 ppg, 12 rpg, 1.4 bpg vs. Detroit). And now Sammy has a coach that will have confidence in him. King has to match any offer.
Some say Korver's situation changed a bit with the hiring of Mo Cheeks. It's no secret that Jim O'Brien really liked Korver, perhaps too much. Cheeks preaches defense and up-tempo ball. King may have to think twice if another team offers a large contract. With that said, I'd like Korver to come back.
If he does, K Squared must retain his old role as the sixth man. That'll give the bench some much-needed instant offense. It also will hide Korver's liability on defense a bit more.
Speaking of liability, O'Brien declared Willie Green as incapable of playing in the same lineup as Allen Iverson. He used hockey-esque plus/minus numbers to argue his case. Maybe he can get a NHL job, because Green showed promise and filled in admirably when AI was out with injury.
Now that Mo is calling the shots, look for Green, if resigned, to be paired with AI in the starting backcourt. However, Green may be a nice asset for a possible sign-and-trade. King can ill afford to not explore options for Green, especially if a tall defensive point guard or a rebounding forward could come in return.
A big factor in King's moves will be whether or not Cheeks envisions Iverson as his one or two guard.
Were opportunities lost this season with AI at the point? Here’s my thought. AI is a superstar basketball player, not a superstar point or shooting guard. He will get his touches and shots regardless. Too much emphasis is put on his actual position.
Yet, I’d still prefer a tall, defensive minded point to come in next season to run with AI. So if Green has to leave town for that wish to be granted, fans should welcome an AI return to the two spot. If no deal is available however, an AI, Green, Andre Iguodala combo at the one, two and three with Korver as the sixth man still looks better than last season.
But what about some free agents?
Sorry, there is no money under the cap for King to sign anybody long term.
Yet, look for some form of creative Billy King maneuvering. He can use the
$4.5 million exception, as well as a sign and trade to mix up and improve the roster.
King should look at point guards and rebounders.
Here are a few free agents (unrestricted and restricted) that King can dangle Green or Korver for in a sign and trade or use the $4.5 million mid-level exception towards:
PG: Marko Jaric, Gary Payton, Antonio Daniels, Earl Watson, Damon Jones, Jeff McInnis, Darrell Armstrong, Damon Stoudamire (may want to reunite with former coach Cheeks).
C/PF: Donyell Marshall, Udonis Haslem, Gerald Wallace, Reggie Evans, Vladimir Radmanovic, Stromile Swift, Kwame Brown, Othella Harrington.
And I’m not saying the aforementioned players want to come here or will make an all-star impact if they do wind up in a Sixers' uniform or will even accept a one-year exception deal. But all of them could be affordable additions to an already solid young nucleus. It's important to remember that everyone on that list and other guys available all want long-term deals. However, there will be players left out who must sign a one-year deal with hopes of earning a better contract after next season.
So, with the off-season choices limited, what’s my forecast for next year?
I see improvement. King needs to get a point guard and a rebounding big man off the bench whether that is through a trade or the draft. Iguodala, Korver and Dalembert can only improve. AI proved he could still play MVP ball. Iguodala has to shoot jumper after jumper this summer to add that element to his already solid game.
As for CWebb, the Sixers need10 points, eight boards and five assists from him. But he must get his legs in shape. It's not fair to ask him to be what he was, but If Webber can produce and pass the ball like he's capable of, he can be a nice piece to the mix.
And let's not forget the rest of the roster.
Expect Cheeks to give John Salmons more playing time, perhaps at the point.
Kevin Ollie will be back since he's under contract, and Aaron McKie and Marc Jackson give nice veteran leadership off the bench.
Morale of the story: There won’t be too many changes this off-season in Philadelphia. But that’s not a bad thing. The team has AI and a wealth of young talent.
Does that mean there will there be a parade down Broad St. next year?
Absolutely not.
But the future does look promising.
Expect at least a visit to the second round of the playoffs. |
