The Oklahoman has an interesting blurb about
a possible trade of Sammy to the Thunder:
Chris Wilcox - Teams likely are interested more in his expiring $6.75 million contract than what he can do for them on the court in the second half. It's unlikely Wilcox alone could bring back much value. But if he's packaged with Smith and, say a draft pick, it could lead to a young quality defensive-minded center such as New Orleans' Tyson Chandler or Philadelphia's Samuel Dalembert.
This seems like pure speculation to me, rather than any kind of inside info coming from sources, but let's run with it for a moment.
Wilcox and Smith are both expiring contracts, so assuming the Sixers
would let both walk at the end of the season they'd be under the cap by
about $12M this summer. Now, they could only use that cap space if they
renounced Andre Miller's bird rights, they traded Miller or if Miller
signed somewhere else. If they do not renounce Andre Miller, his cap
hold number will be roughly $15M (150% of previous year's salary), and
the team will only have the MLE and Bi-annual exceptions to use.
Moving Sammy's albatross of a contract out could give the team the
financial flexibility it needs to replace Miller if he walks, but he'd
have to walk early in the process and there probably wouldn't be enough
cap space to replace Sammy. I'm not sure why OKC would include a draft
pick in a deal for Sammy, they're trading two assets for a fairly bad
contract, but there you have it.
Of course, that $12M in cap space could also be used in a trade, which
would be a very, very big bargaining chip considering the economy and
the way so many teams are desperately trying to shed payroll.
Fire away, would you pull the trigger if you were Ed Stefanski and this
deal wasn't pure fiction concocted by a writer in Oklahoma?
Well that depends on what the pick is and what it's protection is...I think the sooner speights starts the sooner he matures into the guy we need him to be to make the sixers a contender...how cap room would the sixers have total if both these contracts expire (sams and millers) this offseason?
If they get Sam and Miller off the books the have $12M in cap space, maybe up to $14M, depending on where the cap number comes in. Based on Stern saying revenues will be flat, I don't think the cap is going to move.
Marc Stein claims that the Oklahomans actually want to target Chandler with those players...not Sam.
Yeah, saw Stein's column as well. Chandler and Dalembert are virtually identical in contract value/length, so I don't think it's a stretch to think the Sixers could get the same package.
SI.com breaks down who they think the buyers and sellers - indicate Blazers interest in Miller
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ian_thomsen/02/16/trade.deadline/?eref=sircrc
Stein on the trade deadline machinations
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&page=TradeTalk-090216
we should try and make a play on raja bell from the bobcats
Not sure why the sixers should try and get raja bell nor am I even sure he is available? What's the rational for suggesting raja bell?
Kind of odd wording. "Make a play on" implies, to me, that there would be lots of competition.
Bell can only be involved in a one-for-one deal at this point. Reggie for Bell would work, and probably help the Sixers. Don't see it happening, though. The trade machine's evil computer says the deal would hurt both teams.
Here's a look at the upgrade he'd provide over Willie.
Again, long term, I think Iguodala 2, Young 3, Brand 4...i don't think this team needs another wing player - they just need a healthy roster and people to stop believing in Willie Green
I misread that at first as saying "People need to start believing in Willie Green."
Bell for Evans would be a solid move, good three-point shooter, contract runs one year shorter than Reggie's.
See I can live with
A. Saving Money
B. Giving Reggie evans to Larry Brown who probably would like him a lot
Can we get Felton in the deal as well?:)