Post by greatwall - PHI on Nov 8, 2009 19:29:02 GMT
Philadelphia Inquirer
The 76ers so far have had a quiet off season, but will be looking to change that in the coming weeks. Only major accomplishment so far is the drafting of Tyreke Evans, Guard, Memphis with the 4th overall pick.
The pick was acquired via a trade with the Indiana Pacers at the end of last year right before the trade deadline. The 76ers sent C Steven Hunter and their own 2009 1st round pick (ended up being 7th overall) to the Indiana Pacers for G Marco Jaric and the Pacers 2009 1st round pick (ended up being 1st overall.) The Pacers had the worst record in the league, 4th was the highest pick could have been. The 76ers were outright third worst most of the season, but were able to tie with the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzles by the end of the year with a record of 26-56. This moved the Pacers up to 7th, while the Pacers saved about 4 M in cap this year (difference in Hunter's and Jaric's contract.) Jaric also has another year on his contract next year, at $7,625,000 M. "We really felt like the chance to get a quality player was worth the cap restrains." said 76ers GM Charles Boen "Plus Jaric isn't half bad and will compete for our backup PG position next year, and while we have no depth at the big man positions, we feel like we can find someone just as good as Hunter."
Back to Evans, the 6'5 221 pound guard can play either the PG or SG position. He started at SG, but finished the year at PG and lead The Memphis Tigers to the elite 8. "We were very happy to get Tyreke and had him #2 on our draft board, other than Blake Griffin. Getting him at 4 made the hurt of not getting the 1st pick a little better, because let's face it we were lucky to get him." The Houston Rockets took James Harden #2, and the Toronto Raptors shocked the NBA when they took Jordan Hill #3. Boen said Evans will play the 2 guard if the season started today, but didn't rule out a shake up. "Right now our starting 5 is Duhon/Evans/Jrich/CV31/Okur, but things could change. We don't have a lot of shooting on the floor and that is something we need to improve."
Tyreke was very happy to come to a very athletic young team like the 76ers. "Jason Richardson is a great player and I feel like I could learn a lot from him, and I was already friends with Charlie V. I think the 3 of us will be good together." Rumor has it Boen is going to look to shop Duhon and Okur for a SF who can shoot or a more athletic center, and look to sign the other in FA. The depth chart for next year looks like Marco Jaric will backup the PG, youngster Von Wafer at the SG, while Marquis Daniels will be the 6th man and be the primary SF backup and help out at both SG and PG. Only other player on the roster is Willie Green, who has been actively shopped since Boen took over the team. Rumor has it the San Antonio Spurs have interest in Green, but ended up trading the 28th pick for Dallas' Brian Cook instead.
The 76ers should be better next year, and maybe with a little luck could make the playoffs. Okur needs to be resigned, but right now the 76ers have 31 M in cap space with 7 players on the roster and 2 picks baring a trade (Evans the 4th overall pick and the 76ers also have the 33rd overall pick.) Hopefully a few trades will happen, and maybe a big FA signing! Be excited Liberty City! ;D