Several reports Tuesday have indicated that the Sixers will trade Rodney Carney, Calvin Booth, and a future first round pick to the Wolves for a future second round pick. The Sixers then will use the increased cap space to sign power forward Elton Brand.
Analysis: From the Sixers perspective, these are bold moves. New GM Ed Stefanski is quickly making a name for himself as a creative risk-taker. These maneuvers give the Sixers the inside presence they desperately need while only losing an inconsistent role player in Carney, the seldom-used Booth, and hopefully a late first-rounder. Stefanski is taking a page from the mold the Pistons are constructed by putting together a very talented core (Brand, Andre Iguodala, Samuel Dalembert, Andre Miller, Thaddeus Young, and Louis Williams) without having a superstar. On paper, this puts the Sixers immediately in the upper tier of the East, alongside Orlando, Detroit, and Cleveland.
The question for the Sixers and Stefanski is….what’s next? While this makes the Sixers one of the best teams in the conference, it’s not enough for them to compete for a title. In fact, they will have only ten players under contract if they re-sign Iguodala and Williams – which puts them 5 players under the limit. Their obvious immediate need is outside shooting, which can be improved by adding one or two inexpensive free agents – Salim Stoudamire, Eddie House, Tyronn Lue, Kareem Rush, James Jones, and Brent Barry, to name a few. However, I believe Stefanski must have another big move in mind. The facts are that the Brand will turn 30 this basketball season and Stefanski knows that they probably only have a 3-4 year window to win a title with him. Plus, by the time the young guys fully develop, Miller (if re-signed) and Brand will be on the decline. Look for the Sixers to acquire another big name in a trade involving Iguodala, Miller, or Williams.
For Minnesota, the move to acquire Carney does not seem to make much sense on paper. Carney has done little to distinguish himself, and the Wolves are loaded at SG and SF - Mike Miller, Corey Brewer, Ryan Gomes, Rashad McCants, and free agent Kirk Snyder. The Wolves true needs are at center (Booth is not the answer) and PG if Randy Foye does not progress.
In other news, the Magic are reportedly going to sign G/F Mickael Pietrus. Pietrus underachieved as a Warrior, but the Magic hope he can step in as another perimeter threat who has the ability to become a defensive stopper. The biggest need for the Magic is in the front court, but they are not going to throw their money at Juwan Howard or Othella Harrington. I am not sure this will improve their team greatly, but the off-season acquisitions have just begun.
You can reach me at TheRealNBA@yahoo.com
