What should the Sixers do at the trade deadline ?
If the 2012 NBA playoffs were to begin tonight the Philadelphia 76ers are most likely predicted to land the number three seed in the Eastern Conference, trailing behind the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls.
As history can tell us, it is apparent that the Sixers just cannot match up to teams like the Heat and Bulls. If last years playoffs shattering loss against the Heat does not enforce this point, consider the current season’s record. They are 0-2 against them losing by a combined 41 points. Although against the Bulls they stand 1-0, some may award this victory to the fact that the Bulls were missing starters Luo Deng and Richard Hamilton.
So where do the 76ers currently stand?
Every Sixer fan will admit that this season has been an exciting one to watch. A breath of fresh air to the city of Philadelphia after enduring two disappointing seasons from the Phillies and the Eagles.
Nevertheless, there is not much confidence in the current Sixers roster. There is no way this team can compete with the big boys in the East. Many believe that the lack of a high scoring superstar is the reason why this is not their year. While others, think that although there isn’t a superstar in the team, this team has an even amount of good players that makes them all a threat on the floor. Overall, at their current state, what makes this team enjoyable to watch is their hard work, well-executed defense and exceptional coaching. But, this does not yet make them a threat in the East.
So, what does the future look like for the Sixers? Can the Sixers possibly create a team that can take it all the way?
Recent rumors about Amare Stoudamire were thrilling however a move like that would not work. The Knicks would most likely want a package of Lou Williams, Jrue Holliday or Evan Turner. Taking into consideration Amare’s history of injuries and his lack of hustle on defense, he would not be a suitable fit for the 76ers.
As the March 15th trade deadline looms we will see if the Sixers make any significant moves. One issue the Sixers will have is whether they should make substantial deals or just stand pat? This problem stems from the current back-heavy contracts, which halts their ability to make a big splash at trade time.
Their top contracts are Elton Brand, making 17 million this year, and Andre Iguodala making 13.5 million. Trading Brand would be nearly impossible due to that 17 million. No team would take on a contract of that size for a player of Brands current abilities. Thus making him untradeable.
As far as Andre, he is a good #2 or even a #3 option, and a great perimeter defender, so there is some value there. However, the $13.5 million he is making this season, and an additional $30 million he is due the following 2 seasons, makes it a hard sell to a potential suitor. But that is not to say that this limits the Sixers options.
Two possible options exist. One would be to trade for, Golden States’ Monta Ellis. This move would be a big boost to the Sixers’ offense that desperately needs a big time scorer. The second option would be Boston Celtics’ Paul Pierce. Like Ellis, Pierce is a well-established scorer. Pierce also brings playoff experience, which would be crucial to this young team, once in the playoffs.
If the Sixers can land Pierce or Ellis they could become a real threat in the East, and bring back memories of the Allen Iverson led Sixers that made a magical run all the way to finals in the 2000-01 season.
Tags: NBA playoffs, Sixers, trade deadline
Stand Pat is defeatism Dan. Sixers can not beat the Bulls or Heat as-is, maybe not even with a trade. But you have to do something. I hear D. Howard may be available?????? or Linsanity??? Go Bulls.
Thanks for reading the article Dan, I respect your opinions but I could not disagree more. As I mentioned in the article the sixers can not hang with the heat, the heat take over late in game because the sixers do not have that instant offense. You need a guy that can consistently put up 20 plus points. Andre is not that guy. Who would you trust more with the final shot? Lou, Andre, Pierce or Ellis, I know my first two answers are Pierce and Ellis. I know your concerned about the age of Pierce, but Iggy and Pierce both have two years left on their current contracts, and lets be honest the sixers are not gonna bring iggy back once his contract is up. So trading for Pierce would give you a legitimate shot at beating the Heat and Bulls. I also do not agree with your comparison of Lou and Ellis. There is a reason Lou is a not a starter.So standing pat to me would be basically telling your fan base that your content with winning one playoff series.
There won’t be any late game situations if you trade Iggy for Pierce… Anyway, it’s not happening because Pierce is going to finish his career as a Celtic.
I don’t get the Monte Ellis love? Guy hasn’t been on a team that can get to .500 the last few years? How is that possible if he’s such a stud?
@Dan…stand pat? Really? C’mon Ed Wade! First off the post said Amare IS a bad fit. So everyone seems to be in agreement with Amare. As the writer clearly mentioned Amare does not fit with Doug Collins basketball. Also, Monta Ellis is pure offense. That’s what we need. Lou is a nice player and is a great piece but is kinda the Sunday Matinee to Monta Ellis. As the writer mentioned….what a tremendous surprise this season has been. This team is exciting to watch and it’s a great place to be when no one had real expectations of the team going into the season. No matter how the season plays itself out I think the team made a huge step in the right direction. But if the goal is a championship then ‘standing pat’ is nuts. This team as it stands will not beat Chicago or Miami period the end. Go get Monta.
Getting Ellis is going to win a championship? Are you serious? How is Amare not a Doug Collins guy, yet Monte is? What? Ellis is nothing put pure offense. He’s totally undersized, and dominates the ball at an Iverson-like amount. He’s a poor man’s Allen Iverson. Trading Iggy for him will make you the Golden State Warriors, who are not even a .500 team. Come on…
Nice article but I have some issues…
You’ll probably wind up being right but why so certain the Sixers couldn’t hang in a 7 game series with the Bulls? NBA is a game of amatchups, and the Sixers appear to match up well with the Bulls. 2-1 against the Bulls last year, and 1-0 this season, as you mentioned above.
No disrespect intended, but your trade proposals left me banging my head against a well.
First you mention Amare. He’s been TERRIBLE this year. Numbers down across the board. The guy’s knees are so bad that the Knicks were not able to get Amare’s contract insured. They rolled the dice, anyway. I’m not rolling the dice on a guy with bad knees who looks like he’s starting to trend downwards. No thanks.
Then you get to Iguodala… You call him a guy who may have some decent value to other teams, but would be a hard sell. Are you kidding me? The guy is an all-star this year. Is he an elite scorer like most guys the public considers all-star’s? No. He’s uniquie. Tremendous defender. Top 3 perimeter defender in the league. Can also rebound and distribute the ball at an above average. He is the ultimate glue guy. He’s finally embraced the fact that he isn’t a guy who has to focus on scoring. Focus on everything else and the accolades will come. And they did, in his first all star appearance… These elite teams you mention would KILL to have Iguodala. Why on Earth would we trade Iguodala?
So option number 1 is trading Iggy for Monte Ellis? What? Why? You realize we already have Monte Ellis off the bench, right? Lou Willias has been a more efficient version of Monte Ellis this year, and he plays better defense. Horrible idea.
Finally, you suggest Iggy for Pierce. Why am I trading 28 for 34? No thanks. If Pierece was still an elite player, the Celtics aren’t a .500 team right now, especially considering Ray Allen has held up amazingly well. I know Pierce was hurt for a decent chunk of year, but there’s just no way I’m trading for a guy that is six years older like that.
Stand pat. Although, as much as it pains me to say it, I would deal ET if the right option came up. ET and Doug seem like that married couple that just can never seem to get along. Throw in the fact that when you see Turner he just doesn’t look athletic enough to have success at the NBA. Then just when you’re ready to give up on him, ET will make some sneaky quick drive to the rim and finish, and you’re like maybe this kid could be something… Then, he’ll make a mistake on defense, turn the ball over, throw up one of his ugly deep two’s, and Doug will give him the hook. Really want the kid to become something, but I’m having my doubts.
Keep the Sixers stuff coming.
Trade Iggy and the new Moose for Jeremy Lin
Can’t get rid of Lou, Jrue and/or Turner. I would be okay with losing one of them for Amare, but not 2 as a package deal. The heart the current roster shows is impressive and exciting to watch especially given their youth and taking those aforementioned players out of the mix could really be damaging. I like the Pierce deal. All of the sudden fans are sticking by Iggy after seasons of bashing him. Maybe the fans want to keep the crew together because it obviously IS working, but Pierce’s experience would be a solid additive come playoff time. I dont hate Iggy, but his FT % could hurt us. Foul shots are free points and he is barely shooting over 50%. Paul Peirce obviously adds other skills besides FT % but he shoots over 80% from the line and goes to the line more often. Might change the outcome of those tight games.