by Brian on August 12, 2008 at 8:13PM
Well, the waiting is over. For all intents and purposes, our roster is set. ESPN.com is reporting the Sixers and Andre Iguodala have agreed on a 6-year, $80M extension.

Too much money? Probably. We've gone over that time and time again. More importantly, what message should this send from the team's front office to the fans? The Sixers are serious about winning.

In this league, luring a free agent from another team to yours is an iffy proposition, at best. The best method for building a champion is to draft well and keep your players. The Sixers drafted well when they got Iguodala with the #9 pick in 2004, and now they've locked him down for 6 years. Had they let this drag on, had him sign his qualifying offer, and then watched him walk away next Summer replacing him would've been nearly impossible. Sure, they could've gotten someone, but probably not someone of Iguodala's caliber.

They may not be there this season, but some time in the near future, the Sixers will be paying the luxury tax. This contract should show us that money won't stand between the Sixers and a championship. That's exactly the message every team should be willing to send to their fans. The key is to spend the money on the right guys, otherwise you're the Knicks and no one wants that.

I wasn't sure how I'd feel if the Sixers overpaid for Andre. Now that it's happened, I'm relieved and I'm pumped for this season. It was the best move to make, no matter what the price. Now he has to go out and earn every penny.

One last note, if you watched the Sixers on the NBA league pass last season, you were treated to just about every single announcer from the opposing team making fun of Andre for turning down the $55M extension last Summer. It looks like he, and the Sixers, had the last laugh. Iguodala bested that extension by about $25M, and the Sixers were able to use the phantom cap space his cap hold provided to land Elton Brand. In a sense, Iguodala saved the Sixers from another deadly BK contract.



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




[August 12, 2008 8:53 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Jordan said

I love it. I'm sure Iguodala will earn it. He's improved each year in the league and seems to be the hardest worker on the team. Bring on the Raptors!

As for league pass. Is it too much to ask to get home town announcing for the home games. Every other team has it.

[August 12, 2008 9:07 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Brian replied to Jordan

I think it has something to do with comcast.

I'm psyched now. Add another big and we're set.

[August 12, 2008 9:11 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Jordan replied to Brian

Seriously. Everyone is locked up, but 'dre Miller and it's too early for that extension anyway.

If nothing else, this will be the most enjoyable season since Larry and Iverson took the team to the finals.

[August 12, 2008 9:57 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Max said

Good stuff, Probably 5-7 million too much but given the other contracts signed by lesser restricted talent this summer. Don't think they had a choice.

Correct me if I'm wrong but he now has 22 million more guaranteed than Josh Smith? Never would have predicted that.

[August 12, 2008 11:52 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Brian replied to Max

$22M more total, about $1.7M/year more over the life of the deals. ($11.6M/year for Smith, $13.3M/year for Iguodala).

I don't know what Smith was thinking signing that deal. I originally thought he wouldn't, it was a no-brainer for Atlanta to match.

[August 12, 2008 10:16 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Jordan said

Ya, I think the Hawks got way lucky on their Smith deal. It seemed like he signed that cheap deal from the Grizz, just hoping the Hawks wouldn't match, but they did.

[August 12, 2008 10:48 PM]  |  link  |  reply
JJ said

I hope Andre earns that contract, although it makes me shudder. Yes, I think the Sixers overpaid. Somewhere between 70 and 75 mil. seemed more in line to me. This is more like Dwight Howard money, as as much as I like Andre, he's not in the same class as Howard.

BTW, off topic, but whatever happened to Canada's favorite new citizen Sammy Dalembert and the Canadian team?

[August 12, 2008 11:54 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Brian replied to JJ

Cheeks backed him up, basically saying Sammy has never given him any problems and it must be the coach's fault. Sammy's agent had a couple of funny quotes about team Canada's ability to get NBA-level talent.

I think it's a non-issue for the Sixers. Mo is a great motivator, that's his strong suit.

[August 13, 2008 2:30 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Joe said

This isn't Dwight Howard money. Plain and simple. Saying that is just incorrect. Over 6 years Howard would have gotten 104 million.

Dei Lynum reported it is up to 80 million with incentives. I do not trust her at all.

Ed said no deal is done at the dodgers game apparently.

I just got back from a concert, so I have no idea what happened. I am going off forum rumors.

[August 13, 2008 2:37 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Brian replied to Joe

ESPN said $80M, possibly higher w/ incentives. We'll see.

[August 13, 2008 2:56 AM]  |  link  |  reply
noah said

one thing to keep in mind is that the sixers got much more value out of Andre's rookie contract than is expected of the #9 pick. he started almost every game during the years when he was being paid like a prospect. i'm ok with overpaying a little to show appreciation for all the extra juice we already got out of him.

[August 13, 2008 6:09 AM]  |  link  |  reply
gdog2004 said

Im glad the deal is done. You guys may think 72-73 million would have been more in line ? well guess what..this kid is going to get better. So if you thought he was worth 72 AS IS than he should hopefully be a bargain at 80 million in a few years.
I am psyched for the season !
I feel Iguodola is one of those rare players that will bust his butt and REALLY go out and justify his contract. He never takes a play off...I love him as a player. Hes not lebron or kobe...but who is ?
Cant wait for the season.

[August 13, 2008 1:13 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Terry said

The point about the sixers being willing to pay some luxury tax money is a good one. I didn’t consider that, I’m happy about it.
I have to wonder in there was some sort of collusion going on with Memphis and Atlanta.
If Atlanta offered Smith the same contract would he have signed? I’m thinking no he wanted out, maybe they did something for the Hawks for future considerations?

[August 13, 2008 1:31 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Brian replied to Terry

I don't know. Honestly, I don't think the Griz thought he'd accept it. Seemed like a PR move to me, to make it look like they were willing to spend some money when they obviously were not.

The shocking thing is that ATL hadn't offered him that much up to that point. What were they thinking down there?

[August 13, 2008 2:08 PM]  |  link  |  reply
steve replied to Brian

thats the problem with atl ownership, they dont think.

[August 13, 2008 2:45 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Brian replied to Jordan

Jasner is such an a-hole.

"A new deal for Iguodala would be an important step for the Sixers, who have had a busy summer, signing unrestricted free agent Elton Brand to a 6-year contract worth $79.8 million."

Elton Brand was shocked to learn that Phil Jasner has magically changed his 5-year contract into a 6-year deal. Don't they have editors at the Daily News?

[August 13, 2008 3:24 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Jordan replied to Brian

Haha, I didn't catch that.

[August 13, 2008 4:17 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Terry said

Jasner sucks how he wins awards all the time is beyond me.
Must be nepotism or something.

[August 13, 2008 8:51 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Joe said

Done deal...

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