Players can't actually sign on the dotted line until sometime next week, but that's not going to stop the 76ers from negotiating with free agents. Ed Stefanski has made it clear that he's going to spend the available money this summer, and I hope it's the right guy. Who are the available right guys?
Elton Brand, for one. He just opted out of the final year of his contract with the Clippers, and he's probably target #1. Although the team just drafted Marreese Speights, Brand gives them a legit low post threat, which opens up the rest of the offense. If Iguodala or someone can develop a consistent jump shot, Brand's game down low will really open that up.
Restricted free agents are tough to get in the NBA, and that's a significant hurdle to possibly landing Josh Smith. Smith is younger and more athletic, and those make him a very appealing target. His game is still developing, and he already posted a 17-8 season last year at the age of 22.
I would take either, but it also needs to be understood that both come with risks. Brand is obviously a huge injury risk because he just sat out 90% of last season with a serious injury. If he can come back healthy, the Sixers just made a good gamble. If he has some more problems, this city isn't seeing another NBA championship for a while. Smith is more of a mental gamble. He apparently loses focus at times and can disappear. He's a young guy, and the coaching staff and leaders of this team can probably help with that.
Beyond PF, Jose Calderon is another player out there. He's also a restricted free agent, and after trading away T.J. Ford, there's no way the Raptors let him walk. He would obviously be a valuable asset in the post-Miller era, which might begin sooner rather than later.
We'll see what happens. It's an exciting offseason to be a Sixers fan, and it's been quite a few years since someone could say that.
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