Here's a little experiment of mine. Each Wednesday "Wednesday GM" will appear on Liberty Ballers and it will be a weekly platform for me, and you to weigh in on some options the Sixers have in regards to tweaking the team. Every Wednesday I'll conjure up a transaction I'd the like to see the Sixers make and explain why it would work. Some trades may be more realistic than others, so bare with me. With that said, let Wednesday GM begin...
Alright this week, instead of breaking down one potential move I'm going to post two for a couple reasons. First off, it seems like rumors have been swirling lately in regards to Sammy D and/or Andre Miller being traded, so I wanted to get as many guesses in before something actually happened. That way I'll look smart if one of the predictions is even remotely close. Secondly, last week's Luke Walton and change for Reggie Evans trade seemed to cause a little hostility towards my GM skills, so this week I'll give you some options and you can tell me which one you like best. Here we go...
Philadelphia 76ers
Incoming Players
PTS: 7.8 REB: 2.9 AST: 3.1 PER: 12.25
PTS: 1.2 REB: 0.5 AST: 1.0 PER: 6.80
PTS: 2.2 REB: 1.2 AST: 0.5 PER: 9.04
Outgoing Players: Willie Green, Andre Miller
Why the Sixers do it: Sure, we take on two bad contracts, but the positives outweigh the negatives in this situation. First, we get rid of Willie Green. That in itself is enough for me to approve any trade. Secondly, we get something for Andre Miller instead of letting him walk this summer or signing him to an extension, which would be pretty foolish considering where the team is at contention-wise and his age. Lastly, we get our point guard of the future. Mike Conley has been far from spectacular in his one and a half years in Memphis, but I think in the right situation and with the right coaching (which isn't Tony DiLeo) he can be as special as everyone once thought he would be. Plus, he'd fit in perfectly since he has no jumpshot.
Memphis Grizzlies
Incoming Players
PTS: 8.1 REB: 1.8 AST: 2.1 PER: 10.83
PTS: 15.4 REB: 4.1 AST: 6.3 PER: 17.24
Outgoing Players: Mike Conley, Marko Jaric, Greg Buckner
Why the Grizzles do it: This trade became a little less realistic once the Grizzles traded Javaris Crittenton to the Wizards, but today they made a move that boosted it back up to slightly realistic. Sure, it might be tough to part with Mike Conley, but they have Kyle Lowry and now a wild-card in Shaun Livingston. They get an expiring contract in Miller, which fits right into their plan to shed salary. They also give up two bad contracts in Marko (I'm married to one of the hottest girls ever) Jaric and Greg Buckner. It might not be the smartest trade for the Grizzles, but neither was Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown.
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Philadelphia 76ers
Incoming Players
PTS: 12.0 REB: 3.2 AST: 2.1 PER: 14.63
Outgoing Players: Samuel Dalembert
Why the Sixers do it: We get rid of Sammy D and his horribly horrible contract, allowing Marreese Speights more minutes. And we get a slightly less horrible contract in Larry Hughes, who is a big upgrade over Willie Green at the two. Let's not forget Larry once averaged 22-6-5-3 and would instantly become the Sixers best three point shooter. Check the numbers.
Chicago Bulls
Incoming Players
PTS: 5.6 REB: 8.2 AST: 0.2 PER: 11.27
Outgoing Players: Larry Hughes
They need a big man. They hate Larry Hughes. A Blog a Bull poster actually discusses the possibility of Dalembert here, but his two proposed trades (here and here) involve Andres Nocioni. And I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'd much rather have Hughes than Nocioni. Hughes could play the two for us in the short-term and his contract is up in two years, opposed to Noc who doesn't fit in anywhere on the team and we'd have to deal with him for a whopping 5 years! No thank you.