Sixers coach Brett Brown is excited for the coming offseason, as he believes it will differ from previous years, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes. “We are going to be doing something that we haven’t done yet,” Brown said. “Like I feel like the rebuild as people know it, the severe rebuild as we have known it, those days are done. Now we will get into the free agent game. It’s the first time in my time in Philadelphia that we have done that. We haven’t gotten into the free agent game with anybody.”
Brown’s optimism stems from the presence of executive Jerry Colangelo, who is entering his first offseason with the team, and the possibility that the Sixers will add players who can contribute immediately instead of prospects, Pompey notes. “Now what that place means in a quality of wins, we don’t know,” Brown added. “We don’t know who the team is yet. But the path and the plan will take a left turn in a more legitimate way in trying to build it in a more expedited way.”
Here’s more from the Atlantic Division:
- Nets GM Sean Marks acknowledged that the franchise was “a bit short” on draft picks the next few seasons and the team plans to utilize its new D-League affiliate to attempt to develop players in lieu of draftees, Mike Mazzeo of ESPN.com relays (ESPN Now Link). Marks also noted that he has a list of potential coaching candidates for the Long Island Nets, who begin play next season, but no timetable has been established for making a hire, Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com tweets.
- Celtics point guard Marcus Smart has regressed offensively in his second season and his defense has been slipping as well, so as a result, Boston should consider trading him this offseason, A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com opined on the “Toucher & Rich” show. “If you’re the Celtics, I think you have to give some thought to moving him this summer with how poorly he’s played,” Blakely said. “He isn’t making the progress you were hoping. Obviously every player goes through a slump where they’re not making shots, but certainly you have to wonder when is he going to snap out of this.” Blakely did add the caveat that if the team does decide to trade Smart, it should only be as part of a package to land a “transcendent” player, lest the Celtics risk giving up on Smart too soon.
I agree with Brown that the worst is over in Philadelphia. If they can’t make progress in the next two years with all the young talent they can assemble, it’s time for changes in the front office and coaching staff.
Celtics would be stupid to trade Marcus smart. He’s a solid back up to avert Bradley. His defense is just as good as it was last year. Doesn’t help that Isaiah plays most of the minutes, Avery plays the 2 when turner isn’t in and now they are playing terry r isn’t stead of Marcus. Give Marcus 1 more year
As anyone who reads him more than once knows, A. Sherrod Blakely is a fool and Hoops Rumors should do everyone a favor and stop promoting his “opinions”.