Derek did a great job covering the Rod Thorn news this morning. While it appears nothing is imminent, I like the fact that the Sixers are preparing for the future. But, regardless of who owns the GM title, I think it's safe to say Doug Collins is the guy making the decisions, for as long as he's with the Sixers. Whether that's a good thing or not remains to be seen.
Bob Cooney's article – which Derek referenced – also had a few nuggets of information regarding the Sixers impending free agents.
A league source said that [Louis Williams and Spencer Hawes] are wanted by teams throughout the league and that both would probably garner salaries averaging about $7 million a year.
Lou is worth seven million, but not with the Sixers. They can't pay two bench players (Thad) a combined 15 million per year. Spencer Hawes, on the other hand, isn't worth anything close to that amount. I'd be surprised if either player was back.
Lavoy Allen, who will be entering his second season, is also an unrestricted free agent and a player whom the team wants to keep. It could cost the Sixers a couple of million dollars a year in order to keep the Temple product. Almost certainly not returning to the team will be Tony Battie, Craig Brackins, Jodie Meeks and Sam Young.
Unfortunately, Lavoy will get overpaid because of his Playoff performance – it's just a matter of how much. As for Battie, Brackins and Young – nothing against them, but good riddance.
I like Jodie Meeks as a player, but if he returned it would have to be either for a qualifying offer worth nearly three million, or a contract extension worth somewhere between 3-5 per. Meeks has been a valuable asset for the Sixers over the past two seasons, but he can easily be replaced in this year's draft with a guy like Kim English in the second round. I wish him the best. Hopefully Orestes can still be our blog dad.