All indications from Philadelphia are that they want to shake things up this offseason. We already know Rod Thorn is more or less out and that Lou Williams has opted out. In his chat today, ESPN's Chad Ford said that he is again hearing Andre Iguodala is being shopped. Ford mentions the Wizards or Bobcats as possible destinations with the Sixers, in return, moving up from pick fifteen. Ford mentions Bradley Beal, Thomas Robinson or Andre Drummond as Sixers' targets. Here are others odds and ends from around the league on Sunday night:
John Mitchell of Philly.com reports that Sixers guard Lou Williams will opt out of the final year of his contract. Mitchell spoke with Williams' agent, Leon Rose, who confirmed that his client will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Multiple reports have indicated Lou Williams will be opting out of the final year of his contract with the 76ers, though not necessarily to leave Philadelphia. Williams himself seemed to be laying the groundwork for such a decision yesterday, tweeting "Quick note. Opting out doesn't necessarily mean you're leaving. It's getting out of one contract to begin a new one." The Sixers will be faced with a number of free agent decisions besides Williams this summer, and Bob Cooney of the Philadelphia Daily News has updates on a few of those players and on the executives that will be making the roster moves….
One of the most highly anticipated NBA Finals in recent history doesn't kick off until tomorrow night, but here are a few links relating to both teams involved—as well as some that, unfortunately for them, are not.
Jason Fleming of HoopsWorld provides a primer on how the trade market works as of right now through the end of June, asserting that teams currently out of the playoffs can make trades. He also covers a list of players who can't be traded, distinguishes teams that can absorb contracts in exchange for picks as well as those that have Traded Player's Exceptions, and adds that players with partially guaranteed contracts can still be dealt. Either Boston or Miami will join the 27 other teams on the trade eligibility list tonight, and while we wait for tip off, here's more from around the league…
It figures to be an eventful summer for the 76ers, who hold three picks in the draft, should receive plenty of inquiries on Andre Iguodala, and could use the amnesty clause to clear Elton Brand's $18MM+ salary from their books. I previewed the Sixers' offseason last week, but as the draft and free agency approach, we'll gain a better understanding of their plans. In the meantime, let's check in on the latest items out of Philadelphia….
The Lakers officially exercised their option on Andrew Bynum yesterday, locking him up for the final year of his contract. Bynum's isn't the first option decision of the year — Beno Udrih has picked up his 2012/13 player option, while Dwight Howard famously waived his early termination option earlier in the season. Over the next few weeks, we'll hear about even more team, player, and early termination options, as teams prepare for the July free agency period. Listed below are a few key decisions to watch in the coming weeks….
Plenty of 76ers-related news, rumors and speculation has surfaced since the team lost Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Saturday night in Boston. I wrote about the team's offseason outlook yesterday, and today Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld shares a few more Sixers updates. Here are the highights:
- Lou Williams is expected to opt out of his contract and seek a new deal similar to the five-year, $43MM Thaddeus Young signed with Philadelphia in December, according to Kyler.
- Kyler hears that Elton Brand would be open to exercising his early termination option and eliminating the final year of his contract. However, the Sixers would have to be willing to sign him to a new multiyear deal. I have a hard time seeing this one happening. Brand would have to receive a pretty hefty commitment in a new contract to make up for the $18MM+ he'd be giving up, and that would hinder Philadelphia's future cap flexibility. It makes more sense for the Sixers to simply amnesty him and eliminate the bad contract, rather than inking an expensive new deal.
- Andre Iguodala is expected to be available in trade talks this summer, though only if a suitor wants to make a "significant offer."
- Jodie Meeks and Lavoy Allen will be free agents, and while Kyler writes that the 76ers can extend both players $1MM qualifying offers to make them restricted FAs, that's not quite accurate. The new CBA means a qualifying offer for Meeks, who met the "starter criteria" over the past couple seasons, would actually be worth about $2.7MM. I'll have more on this topic later today.
The Celtics make their third appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals in the last five years when they open up against the Heat tonight. Here's the latest from other teams in the division hoping to build toward that kind of consistent success.
- If the Sixers decide to use the amnesty clause to wipe the $18.16MM due Elton Brand next year off their cap, Nets power forward Kris Humphries will be their No. 1 target to replace him via free agency, writes John Mitchell of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Carl Landry is also the kind of power forward the Sixers like, Mitchell says.
- Mitchell, in the same piece, says he doesn't put too much stock in Lou Williams' comments suggesting he'll be back with the Sixers, and hears that the 25-year-old combo guard will seek "a nice, long-term deal" after turning down his $5.35MM option for next season.
- Giorgos Printezis, a 6'9" forward who hit the game-winning shot for Olympiacos of Greece in the Euroleague championship earlier this month, told Nikos Varlas of Eurohoops he would entertain offers this summer from the Knicks, who hold his NBA rights (hat tip to Emiliano Carchia of Sportando).
- Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld believes the Knicks, who officially removed the interim tag from coach Mike Woodson's title Friday, were the only "real option" for luring Phil Jackson out of retirement (Twitter link).
- Luke Adams looked at the summer ahead for the Sixers earlier today in the latest installment of our Offseason Outlook feature.
Although one player has more agency than the other when it comes to deciding his future, both Lou Williams and Elton Brand would like to remain with the 76ers next season, according to an Associated Press report.
Williams, 25, has an early termination option worth $5.35MM for 2012/13. Even if he opts out of his deal, as he's expected to, he could negotiate a new deal and return to Philadelphia, and his comments suggest that will likely be something he explores.
"If I was a betting man, I think I would be back," Williams said. "Obviously, it comes down to a deal, but I don’t think that will be the hard part. This is home for me. I feel wanted here. I hope the feeling is mutual."
Brand, meanwhile, won't necessarily have the same decision-making freedom. Like Williams, he has an ETO for 2012/13, but his salary for next season will be about $18.16MM, making it a no-brainer to opt in. That doesn't mean he'll be back in Philadelphia though, as his exorbitant salary would make the veteran forward a likely amnesty candidate. Brand understands that the team could decide he isn't part of its future, but he hopes to play at least one more year with the Sixers.
"I want to be here, absolutely," Brand said, adding that if it's over, "I definitely loved my time here."
If Williams and Brand both waive their early termination options and opt into the final year of their respective deals, the Sixers would have nearly $56MM in salary committed to seven players. However, as we heard this weekend, major changes could be made to the team's roster in the coming weeks.