| King Doing The Little Things Authored by David Mintz - July 12, 2006 - 2:54 am
| Current Featured Columns | | Merry Christmas, Raptors Fans The Raptors might not be playing good basketball right now, but there are plenty of things for Toronto fans to be thankful for this holiday season.
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Amidst all the rumors surrounding the potential departure of star Allen Iverson, the biggest move by King was moving down three spots in the draft to select Rodney Carney out of Memphis. This move caught many including myself by surprise as PG and PF seemed to be more pressing needs. However with the selection of Carney and second round pick Bobby Jones out of Washington, the Sixers helped solidify their depth at the SG and SF positions. By trading down, the Sixers were able to pick up cash considerations as well as a second round pick in 2007 which might be one of the deepest drafts of all time. The Sixers were also able to make a late trade for second round pick Edin Bavcic out of Bosnia, who could be a long-term project with the organization. King did very well with this draft.
Depth at PG and PF are still concerns for the Sixers, however if Iverson slides back to PG and PF Chris Webber continues to score 20 points and grab almost 10 rebounds a game, the Sixers should be able to put a formidable lineup out there on the floor.
It has been reported that King agreed to terms with SG Willie Green and F Shavlik Randolph. Green and Randolph while not tremendous players can make impacts off the bench for the Sixers in limited minutes. Green’s instant offense and Randolph’s rebounding and hustle will be key components to a Sixer bench that needs depth more than any team in the NBA.
There have been rumors of G John Salmons being signed and traded, perhaps to the Phoenix Suns. Salmons, while a class citizen during his time with the Sixers, did not make much of an impact. It could be argued that because he was playing behind Iverson, Salmons did not get a lot of opportunities. A sign and trade deal would allow Salmons to pursue new opportunities with another team. The additions of Carney and Jones allow the Sixers the luxury of letting Salmons go.
While King has not made any big free agent splashes, he has brought in NBA rookie free agent F Steven Smith out of LaSalle and could be in pursuit of former Duke and Chicago Bull G Jay Williams. While not gamebreakers, these two could provide the Sixers with some added depth that was lacking last season.
So far this offseason, no team has made an acceptable offer to King for Iverson. With each passing day, it becomes more likely that Iverson will suit up for the Philadelphia 76ers next season. If the Sixers are determined to move Iverson, they might be able to get more value for him at the trade deadline, when teams are jockeying for playoff position.
While the Sixers do not have the pieces in place to contend for a championship, they might have too much talent on the roster to try for one of the top selections in the 2007 draft. One problem with making the playoffs next season is that the Sixers’ first round pick is only protected in the top 15 selections. Because of the improvements made by teams with similar records as the Sixers such as Milwaukee, Orlando, and Chicago, the Sixers are most likely on the outside looking in. A 30- or 35-win season with the roster as it is currently assembled seems likely.
Next offseason, Webber will only have one season left on his contract. If the Sixers plan on moving Webber, next offseason would be the best time. The problem with moving Webber at all is that the team would have to accept over $20 million in contracts in return. These contracts might not be beneficial to the Sixers as they attempt to build a roster that can be competitive for years. Allowing Webber’s contract to expire after the final season of his contract or releasing Webber during the final year so he can join a contending team might be the two best options for the Sixers.
NBA Playoff Trivia Answer. Congratulations to Junio Rodrigues, Eugene Schwarz, and Thomas LoVerde who all guessed the correct answer to last column’s trivia question. Cedric Ceballos is the only player to play for the Suns, Mavericks, Pistons, and Heat. |
