We're going to save the "who" question for a later date when I've got more time. The purpose of this post is to lay out the means of acquiring a shooter for this season. They're limited, but not as much as you may think.

The bi-annual exception is not available to the Sixers (thanks to Joe from the comments for looking it up), so as the team stands right now. The only way they can add a free agent shooter is if he accepts the veteran's minimum. That's as the team stands right now. Keep in mind that Andre Iguodala and Louis Williams are both restricted free agents. That means they have cap-hold numbers, in excess of their qualifying offers. If either player signs with another team, that cap hold number disappears and the Sixers have that much cap space available to them. If either one of them decides he wants to be an unrestricted free agent after this season, and signs the qualifying offer, then the Sixers will have cap space equal to the difference between the cap hold number and the qualifying offer.

If either of these scenarios plays out with Andre Iguodala, the Sixers could easily have enough cap space to go after one of the available free agent shooters. Possibly JR Smith, or Sasha Vujacic. Landing either would still be a long shot however.

Another option the Sixers have is the sign-and-trade with either Williams or Iguodala. I can't think of too many shooters who you'd trade Iguodala for, straight up, but it is a possibility. Lou Williams may be a better option as a sign-and-trade candidate, but I think the Sixers are going to hold onto him.

Which brings us to the final option, straight trades. Looking at the roster, the only guys I could see the Sixers moving are Willie Green, Reggie Evans or Jason Smith. Green's contract is atrocious, and I really don't think there's a market for him out there. Forget him. Evans, well maybe. Matt Carroll's salary for this season falls within 125% of Evans' salary, and Reggie seems like a guy Larry Brown would like to have, but Evans' contract runs through 2011, so I'd consider this deal a non-starter. A contender with a toughness and/or rebounding need may be interested in Evans, but I'm not sure they'd give up they type of shooter we need for him, so let's just say it's a long shot at this point.

Which brings us to Jason Smith. Did he show enough last year for some GM to really, really want him? Maybe. He's a skilled big with an outside touch and above-average athleticism for the position. Who they could hope to bring back for Smith (and who the backup  center would be if he left) is anyone's guess, but it's a possibility.

In order of likelihood, here's the list of how they can acquire a shooter:
  1. Veteran's minimum free agent
  2. Straight trade
  3. Iguodala or Williams leave or accept qualifying offer and a free agent is signed.
  4. Sign and trade
One other trade possibility does exist, and that's Andre Miller. I really don't see that happening though. This team has a legitimate shot at going very deep into the playoffs this season, they won't move Miller unless they can get a veteran point in return to run this team. Andre isn't going anywhere.



Also on the Network:
√ Brandon Jennings Update [Stop Mike Lupica]
√ Deja Vu It Is [Depressed Fan]
√ You, Me and D. Lee [El Lefty Malo]




[July 10, 2008 10:13 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Jay said

Not sure where Joe got his info, but the following was posted on the Sixers website:

The Bi-Annual Exception. This exception was $1.83 million last season and will be $1.91 million this season. It’s when you can sign a player, or players, to a one or two year contract(s) and you can use it every other year.
SIXERS.COM NOTE: The Sixers did not use their Bi-Annual Exception in 2007-08, therefore it is available to them for the upcoming season.

http://www.nba.com/sixers/features/speiser_q_and_a_080630.html

[July 10, 2008 11:23 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Joe replied to Jay

That link is just wrong. That is the same link that I originally thought we had it for as well.

The bi-annual exception was "available" to us, but we had to renounce it sadly. The bi-annual exception was counted against our cap. We had to renounce it or else we would have had 1.9 million less in cap space. We also had to renounce the MLE and the trade exception we got in the Carney deal.

[July 10, 2008 11:44 AM]  |  link  |  reply
gdog said

What about the trade exception they got in the carney trade ?
Furthermore...the one thing you havent mentioned is the sixers trading draft picks. Someone mentioned that they had a "ton" of them but I cant find just how many they have.
My gut feeling is this. Sixers dont make a move for a shooter....they see what they have and go from there. You guys ever figure that the reason their shooters arent great is because they had no one in the low post to get them open looks ?

[July 10, 2008 1:02 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Brian replied to gdog

I think that's a legit reason why they aren't good. They could have Wilt Chamberlain in the low post and they still wouldn't be great.

I agree on timing, it's not crucial to get a shooter heading into the season. See what you have first.

[July 10, 2008 1:26 PM]  |  link  |  reply
PhillyFriar said

Of all the above options, I agree that someone on the veterans' minimum seems the most likely option. I'd be reluctant to surrender Smith unless the Sixers really feel comfortable with Speights or someone like Herb Hill playing backup minutes at the 4 and 5.

Still, after Stefanski's done this much, you have to trust he'll continue to do the right thing going forward, right?

[July 10, 2008 3:24 PM]  |  link  |  reply
JoshG said

I think our best option would be Brent Narry signing for the veterans minimum. Would he do that? Probably not unfortunately, but he would be a good fit in that even with his age he is still a solid defender and can play the 2-3 and the 1 in a pinch.

[July 10, 2008 3:26 PM]  |  link  |  reply
JoshG replied to JoshG

I guess Brent Barry would be a better option that Brent Narry.

[July 10, 2008 4:36 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Max replied to JoshG

Barry would be an intriguing peice. He shot nearly 43% from three and 48% overall last year. He's got some injury baggage and he can't run anymore plus he's old as dirt but he could slide between the 1 and 2 and be a depth guy. I could also see him signing for the veteran's minimum. His 2008 salary was $172,177 according to espn's player card. The problem? I believe he lives in San Antonio and has a comfortable life there. I don't see him leaving the Spurs except maybe for the Rockets. Maybe even the Suns although that's far less likely. More than likely it's the Spurs or Retirement.

[July 10, 2008 6:09 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Morty said

I doubt there will be a real top notch answer to this need this season, unless through a trade. The problem is, I don't think our disposable pieces, Green, Evans and Smith, are all that attractive; mostly because of Evans and Green's contracts. I certainly would not want to give up Speights w/out seeing him play, and his upside is a lot higher than Smith's.

This may be a thing that will resolve itself through a combination of improvement by Lou, Igoudala and Young, and the mid level exception which we will have to spend next summer. And, of course, ownership's willingness to pay the luxury tax.

[July 10, 2008 9:31 PM]  |  link  |  reply
gdog said

The sixers players WILL become better shooters because they will not have a hand in their face all the time. Come february if they need a shooter they can get one...most teams have shooters and if a team is 15-35 at the all star break you can bet they would give up the shooter for a 2nd round draft pick being they will be rebuilding.

[July 11, 2008 7:03 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Matt said

Bones Barry would be a great fit, but he isn't coming here - everyone wants him and he'll go to one of the real contenders for this season.

This morning's Inq speculates about minimum salary players who might be a good fit - Juan Dixon, Salim Stoudamire, and JJ Reddick (the latter would have to come via trade unless he gets cut). None of those guys gets pulses racing, but actually any of them would be a pretty good addition and have a chance to contribute. I just worry about having too many Duke guys around.

And while on the subject of the Inquirer, anyone notice that they don't seem to have any basketball writers anymore? Aldridge vanished mid-season, and Narducci got yanked the minute the Sixers exited the playoffs. Since then it's like they've had interns doing the coverage. Pathetic.

[July 11, 2008 1:18 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Joe said

Herb Hill DWI

That is enough for NBA teams to go to the next name on the list. Ashame.

[July 11, 2008 1:42 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Eric said

A Long Shot?
J.J. Redick, 24; 4.1 ppg. last season with Orlando; career 39.0 percent three-point shooter: Redick is not a free agent, but the Magic did draft a shooting guard, Courtney Lee, in the first round, then signed free-agent shooting guard Mickael Pietrus from Golden State. Redick has asked to be traded.

- Kate Fagan

taken from Link

although redick is a good shooter...i think he is a defensive liability (Kyle Korver anyone? but he is 6'7 :P) and his offensive game is limited BUT improving....thoughts anyone?

btw mentioning korver reminds me of him hitting a clutch shot to force 2nd OT? in a 3OT with boston back when a.i was still with us....ah memories

[July 12, 2008 2:25 PM]  |  link  |  reply
gdog replied to Eric

You guys are forgetting just how good this team was during the 2nd half of the season last year.
They didnt have shooters then either while destroying Boston, San Antonio, Detroit. Add to that One of the 5 best power forwards in the game and this team can hang with anyone. Not to mention all the guys they have will be a year older/better. Dont give up on Iguadola as a shooting guard either. My guess is he will be shooting 500 3's a day. Hes only 24 years old...I agree with Ed...the shooters will be better...for sure. I can shoot 25 footers all day with no hand in my face. Hand in my face...not so much.

[July 12, 2008 11:02 AM]  |  link  |  reply
steve said

Sixers lost their first summer league game today to the warriors but Thaddeus was gret with 27 point as was speights with 22 and 12 boards. Anthony Randolph was the best player on the floor though outdualing Thad down the stretch to seal the game. He finished with 30 pts on 12-18 shooting.

[July 13, 2008 2:21 AM]  |  link  |  reply
eric said

i haven't given up on iggy...it is evident his jumper has improved with each season..hopefully it will be even better and more consistent this coming season....he will be unstoppable with his drives,dunks and eventually shooting.

i'm just suggesting we need a shooter as a role player to open up the floor a bit more and play off the bigs if they get doubled in the post...that's what korver did but receiving the pass from iverson when he was doubled and hitting the open shot

[July 13, 2008 8:41 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Zack said
[July 17, 2008 12:19 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Terry said

I would sign and trade Iggy for Michael Redd. If we could pull that off we’d be right up there with the Celts and Pistons.