Now it appears as if the 76ers have changed their tune (or at least their public stance) and will try to move up for a pick higher than No. 12 in Thursday’s draft.
President and general manager Billy King says the Sixers are looking at that option and that there are viable possibilities.
King stopped after that, so it’s now up to our imagination to see where the Sixers could move up.
It’s no secret that Atlanta with the third and 11th pick is looking to make a trade. Atlanta needs a point guard and King himself said there was a rumor that the Sixers would trade Andre Miller and the No. 12 pick for the No. 3 selection.
King laughed it off, but actually it’s a trade from the Hawks perspective that makes a lot of sense. Atlanta could do much worse than having Miller at the point, but from this vantage point, the Sixers would need more than just the No. 3 pick in return.
The problem with the Sixers situation is that unless they are willing to deal Miller, they have very few other tradable assets, especially since they refuse to part with Andre Iguodala.
A team that is looking to deal its pick is Boston at No. 5, but again, the Sixers don’t match up well with the Celtics. Milwaukee at No. 6 doesn’t seem inclined to deal. Minnesota, once again deep into Kevin Garnett trade rumors, would possibly part with the choice, but would the Wolves want the Sixers’ No. 12 and 21 pick for No. 7? That might be too steep for the Sixers, unless there is somebody at No. 7 they absolutely see as an impact player. Yet as one source said, Minnesota can’t worry about swapping picks until they explore all options with Garnett.
Charlotte at No. 8 might be interested in trading the pick, according to sources, but the Bobcats, who also have the 22nd choice in the first round, are always looking for some payroll relief. Charlotte’s Gerald Wallace can opt out of his contract and shooting guard Matt Carroll of Hatboro-Horsham is a free agent.
Maybe the Bobcats wouldn’t mind trading down for some extra picks. If the Sixers offered No. 12 and No. 30 for No. 8, that probably wouldn’t get it done, but could be a starting point.
Chicago at No. 9 would be another potential suitor for the Sixers, but a source familiar with the Bulls situation says they are right now bogged down in the Garnett and Kobe Bryant trade rumors and have not believed to have talked to the Sixers as of yet.
Chicago is looking for more of a veteran presence, but the Bulls appear to like two of the players that the Sixers have targeted – Georgetown forward Jeff Green and Chinese power forward Yi Jianlian.
If Chicago is involved, the Sixers would likely have to swap picks and add a No. 1 or No. 2 pick in the future. Chicago doesn’t need any more young players now. Since the Chicago and the Sixers swapped picks last year in the first round, it can’t be discounted.
Sacramento at No. 10 would likely only swap with the Sixers if the Kings knew that they could get a player they really wanted at No. 12.
It seems the most realistic options for the Sixers would be Atlanta, Minnesota and Charlotte, but anything is possible in what should be a wild draft.
The Sixers could stand pat and make settle for somebody such as Florida State forward Al Thornton, which would be a boost to the offense and not much of one to the defense. Or the Sixers could roll the dice and look to move up if they truly feel there is an impact player.
In this draft, they have to get somebody who will be a significant rotation player in the 2007-2008 season. It appears as if the Sixers are beginning to believe that person doesn’t exist at the No. 12 pick.
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Sixers Looking At Moving Up
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Marc Narducci is in his 23rd year as a sports reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer. The 2007-2008 season will be his first as the 76ers beat writer. For the past two seasons, Marc had been the backup writer for the Eagles. Over the past few years Marc covered the NBA, NHL and Major League baseball as well as writing on sports media. Prior to covering professional sports, Marc was a long-time high school sportswriter for The Inquirer's South Jersey section.
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Comments (9)
Good lord. It's Andre Miller! The dude is 31 years old, has career numbers of 14/8/4, and had has won FOUR playoff games in his whole career.
If Atlanta were to offer the 3rd pick in the best draft in years for this aging role player, not only should you take it, but you buy Billy Knight dinner at Red Lobster. You let him order the "choose your own feast," you even let him add the steamed snow crab legs because you don't care, he just gave you a "choose your own stud power forward" option for a guy has maybe 3 or 4 good years left.
Posted by Matt | June 25, 2007 1:10 AM
Posted on June 25, 2007 01:10
I would trade Miller to move up
Posted by Len Fronczak | June 25, 2007 7:39 AM
Posted on June 25, 2007 07:39
I would trade Miller to move up
Posted by Len | June 25, 2007 7:39 AM
Posted on June 25, 2007 07:39
I would trade miller to move up to 3
Posted by Lenny | June 25, 2007 7:40 AM
Posted on June 25, 2007 07:40
Number 3 would be Nice but losing your playmaker? Willie Green will fill the Hole??
That HS Phenome louis is he ready?? Bring back Eric Snow..Just Kidding..
Posted by Kevin in Kuwait | June 25, 2007 8:53 AM
Posted on June 25, 2007 08:53
Marc, Do you think there is trade value in Willie Green and or Kyle Korver? Korver's defense is awful and he gives up more than he gives in terms of points. I think there is value there and would like to see him move, replace with Matt Carroll, local kid and better player. Also, they need up front size and seem to be looking at 6'6'' type players, that they already have in Carney and Andre. What do you think their chances are for Big Baby late say 30? How do you think he'll do, I feel he'll be productive. How come Billy K can never find anyone that pans out from Europe, while most other teams have either stars or very good players contributing from Europe? Thoughts on Louis Williams? Mine are he's not going to be that good. Can't believe they passed on Williams from U con last year, he was a steal, even though a bit of a head case, he can become a star and will, again King gets outfoxed. Your thoughts, Thanks, Tom
Posted by Thomas Gangemi | June 25, 2007 2:03 PM
Posted on June 25, 2007 14:03
Marc, Do you think there is trade value in Willie Green and or Kyle Korver? Korver's defense is awful and he gives up more than he gives in terms of points. I think there is value there and would like to see him move, replace with Matt Carroll, local kid and better player. Also, they need up front size and seem to be looking at 6'6'' type players, that they already have in Carney and Andre. What do you think their chances are for Big Baby late say 30? How do you think he'll do, I feel he'll be productive. How come Billy K can never find anyone that pans out from Europe, while most other teams have either stars or very good players contributing from Europe? Thoughts on Louis Williams? Mine are he's not going to be that good. Can't believe they passed on Williams from U con last year, he was a steal, even though a bit of a head case, he can become a star and will, again King gets outfoxed. Your thoughts, Thanks, Tom
Posted by Thomas Gangemi | June 25, 2007 2:03 PM
Posted on June 25, 2007 14:03
Marc, Do you think there is trade value in Willie Green and or Kyle Korver? Korver's defense is awful and he gives up more than he gives in terms of points. I think there is value there and would like to see him move, replace with Matt Carroll, local kid and better player. Also, they need up front size and seem to be looking at 6'6'' type players, that they already have in Carney and Andre. What do you think their chances are for Big Baby late say 30? How do you think he'll do, I feel he'll be productive. How come Billy K can never find anyone that pans out from Europe, while most other teams have either stars or very good players contributing from Europe? Thoughts on Louis Williams? Mine are he's not going to be that good. Can't believe they passed on Williams from U con last year, he was a steal, even though a bit of a head case, he can become a star and will, again King gets outfoxed. Your thoughts, Thanks, Tom
Posted by Thomas Gangemi | June 25, 2007 2:04 PM
Posted on June 25, 2007 14:04
we need a post player.available vets such as randolph(blazers) for andre miller and a little more could get that done .or that madman in sacramento.artest for our 3 picks ( not #12) .hortford,yi and the skinny lefty from carolina ( brandon ? ) could all be available if we are willing to deal. i like yi and think his skills mess best with dalembert and hunter
Posted by bill | June 25, 2007 9:36 PM
Posted on June 25, 2007 21:36