Q: If the 76ers clear $15 million in cap space and FAIL to sign Elton Brand, will they throw the kitchen sink at PF Josh Smith and do the Hawks have the stones to match an offer starting at $15 million per year?
A: Yes, that's the plan, and kudos to Sixers GM Ed Stefanski -- I had thought he'd need to trade Andre Miller to create enough space, but he found a different path that worked. I suspect the Hawks would still match Smith, but obviously it's a different equation at $15 mil than it is at $12 mil. And one other thing -- if the Hawks match Smith, Stefanski can go after both Maggette AND Childress with his cap war chest if he so chooses.
Q: Is Elton Brand really considering signing up with the sixers? I mean, REALLY? I understand the point about heading out East. But even with the West being stacked, I'm still not seeing anyone getting past Boston/Detroit in the next 2 years except maybe Orlando or an out-of-this-world-Lebron and scrubs. Isn't he better off rolling with Baron and hoping Gordon becomes a stud?
A: No, the Sixers have far more potential than the Clips or Warriors -- loaded with young talent like Thaddeus Young, Louis Williams and Andre Iguodala, plus a couple solid starters with Dalembert and Andre Miller. I actually think adding Brand makes them really, really dangerous.
Q: Your gut feeling, Brand will be a part of the Sixers or Clippers tommrow?
A: Sixers. I don't think they'd be dealing away Carney unless they saw some smoke signals coming from Brand's tepee. But that's just me speculating.
Q: Hypothetically, do you envision Philly making any more changes if they succeed in locking up Brand?
A: Yes, they need to get a shooter somehow, but that may be easier to come by if they're established themselves as a potential contender.
Q: Wouldn't it make sense for philly to try and trade AI2 and a first rounder or two for Ellis. He seems like the more ideal fit at the 2 if they get Brand?
A: Sixers already have a carbon copy in Louis Williams. He's not as good as Ellis, but he does exactly the same things.
Notable parts from the chat.
