| Sixers Cap Tied Up For Years To Come Authored by Brian Poliakoff - July 25, 2005 - 2:11 am
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The Sixers reportedly signed center Sammy Dalembert to a long term deal in the range of $50-60 million. This comes just a week after the announcement of the team’s signings of Kyle Korver for $25 million and Willie Green for $20 million. Both were for six years.
King kept his word, as he repeatedly vowed to keep the young trio in town, no matter how much other teams offered.
And a lot was offered. Atlanta was ready to hand Dalembert a max contract worth $70 million over five years. While Korver and Green didn’t receive nearly as much money, both received long term deals that will further add to the salary cap problems that Philadelphia fans have come so accustomed to.
Does Matt Geiger, Eric Snow, Aaron McKie, or Kenny Thomas ring a bell?
Philly overpays for good players and they might have once again.
$100 plus million is a big risk for three young players with great potential, especially when AI and Webber already kill the cap with expensive long term contracts. Andre Iguodala will also likely earn a big pay day in a few years.
Now I’m not saying this nucleus can’t be very successful. We just don’t know.
The one thing I do know is that there won’t be much cap money available to sign significant free agents in the upcoming years.
King has said he’s looking to add a veteran forward with the mid level exception. Names rumored include Christian Laettner, Antoine Walker, and Steven Hunter. Chris Crawford was also in for a workout. Neither one will be a difference maker, although a big man off the bench is a must need for this team.
And if Dalembert becomes an all-star, which I think is extremely possible, the Sixers do become a whole different team with him and AI running the show. Add the continued growth of Iguodala, Korver’s scoring off the bench and more minutes for Green, and then perhaps King’s signings will be justified.
But that justification rides on the hopes that the current roster will develop into a contender. Significant roster turnover will have to come in trades or the draft.
All this leads to a lot of if’s combined with very little roster flexibility in the future.
The result? Sixers’ fans are forced to bank that potential develops, as the team’s bank is tied up for years to come. |
