The Sixers have stated since the end of the season that their number one priority in free agency is to resign PF Joe Smith. Smith was basically a throw-in in the Iverson deal, but he opened everyone’s eyes with his spirited, tough play off the bench.
Darko Milicic’s sudden appearance on the unrestricted free agent list has given Billy King et al something to think about. Darko averaged 8.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.75 blocks/game and 1.1 apg last year with Orlando. He would definitely be an upgrade over Steven Hunter, and he’s only 22 years-old. The problem, as I see it, is two-fold. 1: The Sixers can only offer him about $5.5 million per year, and that probably won’t be enough to get the job done. 2: I don’t think this is the year to open the piggy bank for a long-term deal if you’re the Sixers.
The Sixers are over the cap this season by a fair amount. (The cap is projected to be about $56M, they currently have $65M committed, and that’s without extending Andre Iguodala or signing any of their draft picks.) Next year is when the fun starts. The Sixers will clear over $29 million from their cap number following next season ($19M to Chris Webber, $7M to Aaron McKie and $3.4M to Kevin Ollie). The potential free agents next Summer include: Elton Brand (early termination option), Kevin Garnett (ETO), Shawn Marion (ETO) and Tim Duncan (ETO). That’s only the power forwards who could be available next Summer (if the Sixers can keep that cap space clear). Obviously, not all of those guys are going to opt-out and become free agents, but one or two of them might.
This is why I think it’s imperative that the Sixers keep Joe Smith. I don’t know what kind of a deal Smith is looking for, in terms of length (the dollar amount is pretty much set in the $5.5M range), but hopefully, he could be signed to a 2–year deal for about $11M or less. The Sixers need an experienced PF in their rotation, Smith fits the bill, as do Darko, and the Nets’ unrestricted free agent Mikki Moore (9.8 points, 6.1 rebounds last year), but Moore and Darko are probably going to require long-term deals.
If you could sign Darko to a four-year deal in the $24M range, it could turn out to be a bargain down the road, but I just don’t see it happening. I think Moore played over his head last year, and any long-term deal is going to look very bad after next season when the money could’ve been spent on a front-line free agent.
Joe Smith is visiting with the Bulls, hopefully they’re going to resign Nocioni. I’d like to see the Sixers get Smith signed as soon as possible, finalize their roster, and move forward with this season. The Yi rumors are still making me nervous. The draft is over, the Sixers seem to have a plan, let’s put the final piece into the puzzle and see how things shake out.
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Gotta diagree with you here Brian
Joe Smith at 11 mill per 2 yrs is way too much for us(I'm sure he will get those money somewhere, anyway so it's not that the amount is unfair)
Darko is asking for - and I think he will find some agent dumb enough to give him - a 8-10 mill per year deal. Too much? Yes, but that's in the Nene Hilario-SAMUEL DALEMBERT range...
If La Frentz, Troy Murphy and other stiffs make the same money, why can't another young big man like Darko?
check out a Darko breakdown I just made in the Sixers board of philly.com (topic's name is "A Darko question" or something like that), I've been following the guy for many years
a fair salary for Darko would be 5 mill, 1 year. Will he accept that? Honestly his stats say he's not worth more, and I am a BIG fan of him
I don't have a problem with Smith at that salary for 2 years. He'd become a nice trading chip after next season, and I think his production last year warranted it.
As for Darko, I agree that he isn't worth 8-10M, if he could be had for 5M, then he might be worth a shot. I just don't see it happening.
The really should aim for Mikki Moore. He has the best outlook. He's still young and really proved that he is capable of being a fine player in the league, especially as a starter. Darko is still inconsistent, and still growing as a player. He needs more time. Too risky right now. And Joe Smith is just plain out old. Moore is probably the most reasonable and safe out of the three. Great article. Check me at www.clutch3.com
It's funny because my Bulls are going after those 3 players too. Joe Smith just came in to visit, and like the 6ers, Darko is thought to be out of the Bulls price range.
But whatever happened to NBA free agency? Wasn't it supposed to be fun? The last few years just seem to be one upping themselves as the lamest class ever. I mean Luke Walton is the fourth or fifth best player available, thats crazy.
What's crazy is the Magic giving a max contract to Lewis. That franchise just never learns its lesson.
Everyone is bashing that contract, but people forget Lewis is a baller. Yeah hes tall and doesn't rebound, but the guy averaged 22ppg last season as the #2 perimeter scoring option. I think he's real good, and that signing makes the Magic legit.
Ray Allen only played 55 games, and a lot of those games he did play, he was hobbled, so Lewis wasn't exactly the #2 option. He missed over 20 games last year, and really, all he can do is score.
This screams of a team who finally has some cap space (from when they signed Grant Hill to a bad long-term deal), and decided they were going to get the best available player, no matter what the price.
I like the Magic, Howard is a beast, and he's what makes them legit. Lewis is a fine complimentary player, but they paid way too much for him. His contract is going to stop them from getting two pieces they need down the road.
Good stuff Brian, but I'm going for Mikki "Snake Man" Moore. Woo-hah!