by Brian on May 15, 2008 at 12:09PM
As we continue our journey through the player acquisition options for the Sixers, this post from Marc Narducci made me realize that I've gotten a little bit ahead of myself. In that post, Narducci says the Sixers' top priority should be to sign Andre Miller to a contract extension, or at least sit down and talk to him about it. I couldn't disagree more, but I'll get to that a little later. I think it's about time we try to nail down the priority list for the team, keeping in mind that the goal here has to be year-over-year improvement and the long view of becoming a title contender.

Here we go, from most-important to least:
  1. Make smart moves, or make no moves at all. Meaning, anyone you bring in needs to fit the style of play and the character of the team. If no one meets that criteria, stand pat.
  2. Maintain cap flexibility, unless the moves you make can catapult you to contention immediately.
  3. Low-post presence
  4. Replace Willie Green in the starting lineup.
  5. Shooter(s)
  6. Re-sign Lou Williams
  7. Re-sign, or sign and trade Andre Iguodala as a means to get that low-post presence.
  8. Figure out the future of the PG position. Andre Miller was amazing this season, he performed far above expectations in just about every possible way, but he's 32 and he sure seems to want to return to the West coast. Extending him beyond next year would probably be difficult, and I'm not sure we want to invest 3 years and $30M in him to be our point when he's 35. I think you have to look at Miller as a big part of this team in '08-'09, unless you can upgrade the position, and then the cap space his expiring deal will give you after the season.
That's how I see it. Whenever evaluating a move, or potential move, I'm going to look to this list. For example, trading for Mike Miller would accomplish goals 1, 2, 4 and 5. Signing a guy like Josh Smith would only accomplish goal 1, but it may be worth it. There are so many permutations of moves that could be made, so many players who are available, or may become available as the season comes to an end, it should be helpful to have a big picture to look at.

What do you guys think? Are my priorities for the team in the proper order?






[May 15, 2008 1:34 PM]  |  link  |  reply
PhillyFriar said

To go along with #1, don't trade draft picks if you don't have to.

Billy King always traded #1 picks like they were going out of style, and thus for several years the Sixers didn't get the influx of talent that they desperately needed. Clearly the Sixers aren't all the way there yet, and I just fear a scenario where a couple of injuries and a run of bad play gives them the #6 pick in the draft -- but they've already gone ahead and traded it away for a backup center.

For what it's worth, I agree on Miller. I'm hoping the Sixers are able to target a PG in the draft (I'd love it if D.J. Augustin fell to 16, but I don't see it happening).

[May 15, 2008 2:47 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Brian replied to PhillyFriar

I see these three #1 picks, Sixers #1 this year, Sixers #1 next year, and Utah's #1 next year as chips to be used only if you need them to land that low-post scorer. If you don't solve that problem w/ the picks, you have to hold on to them (unless you use them to move up this year)

[May 15, 2008 6:29 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Alvin said

Hey Brian, I couldn't agree more on priority #1. We shouldn't make a rash move. Any move has to be good for this team's long and short term future and should enable us to maintain some sort of cap flexibility (priority #2)

[May 16, 2008 9:46 AM]  |  link  |  reply
Aaron said

Brian, I know it is still very early but are you going to be coming out with a Draft preview? The lottery is just around the corner and we should be talking about who we should target in the draft as well. I like DJ White out of Indiana, he has some low post scoring ability and if we want to go the PG route, I wouldnt mind getting Mario Chalmers out of Kansas. He shoots well and seems to take smart shots. Also, Miller could groom him his rookie year as he did with Lou this past year. Both guys will definitly be available when we pick.

[May 16, 2008 4:52 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Morty said

#'s 1 and 2 are the key. The type of players we need to add are a no brainer, how we acquire them and for what cost, is the tricky part of the job. Patience, like you say, is the key.

[May 17, 2008 8:53 PM]  |  link  |  reply
Max said

In a word Y-E-S. Love the list, love the order.