All Important Offseason For Sixers

The longest active tenured Sixer could be on the move. (Photo courtesy of NBA.com)

When the final buzzer sounded at the end of Game 7, the Sixers surprising postseason run came to an end. Now, Sixers fans are left with the what could have been feeling, rather than what never was. However, the 2012-2013 Sixers team will have many new faces. Changes are inevitable, and with Philadelphia almost on the brink of a championship, this summer will be crucial.


To improve, the Sixers will have to take some very hard steps backwards, before moving forwards.


For example.


A) Cut The Fat.
Elton Brand and Lou Williams have Early Termination Options, and Spencer Hawes( as well as Tony Battie) are Free Agents. They can all be let go of. Rather than be thrown in a possible trade to a team he may not want to play for, "Sweet Lou" will most likely opt out of his current deal with the Sixers. Williams did lead the Sixers in scoring, but was a below average defender. In a Free Agent market not filled with too many good shooters, Williams will command a large pay raise from the $5.9 Million he made in 2012.. 


Brand on the other hand is a different story. He is due a whopping $18 million next year, the last of a 5 year, $80 Million contract. By no means would he look to get out of that. The Sixers will most likely have to use the Amnesty clause to let go of Brand. 


If you are not familiar with the Amnesty, I'll give you a quick rundown. A team can release one player from their team, and he will not count towards the Salary Cap. The player is essentially auctioned off, with the highest bidder winning the rights to the player. However, they obtain that player at a reduced rate, with the original team paying most of his salary. 


If the player is not picked up, he becomes a Free Agent, and his original team is not responsible for his salary. 


Although Sixers management most likely would not be happy about paying Brand when he is on a different team, it frees up a massive amount of cap space. They will be able to wheel and deal (if they choose to) much easier, and can take on much more cap room.


In Spencer Hawes' case, there is not much to say. He hurt his back because he hurt his ankle because he hurt his back. Read it again, it makes sense. Regardless, he was horrific in the Celtics series, constantly making poor decisions. Goodbye Matt Geiger, er, Hawes.


Tony Battie, do yourself a favor: retire. Go be a family man.


B) Draft > Free Agency
In most cases it is the complete opposite. However, the 2012 NBA Draft Class is stacked. The Free Agents? Not so much. The Sixers sure aren't out there looking to pay Kwame Brown $6.75 million. There are a few intriguing names: O.J. Mayo is a Restricted Free Agent, possibly a J.R. Smith or a Kris Humphries. However, the NBA has proven time and time again: build through the draft. Just look at the Oklahoma City Thunder.


Philadelphia has the 15th overall pick, as well as two Second Round picks. With holes at PF/C (and soon to be SG), the 2012 draft is deep in both areas. Names to keep in mind: Syracuse G Dion Waiters, North Carolina PF John Henson, Kentucky G Doron Lamb, and St. Bonaventure PF Andrew Nicholson. All players are extremely highly rated, and could fill an immediate hole with the Sixers.


Philadelphia could absolutely climb into the Top 10. However, the only way to do that would be...


C) Trade Andre Iguodala
Well you cannot say the Sixers never tried to work it out with him. Expectations were high for Iguodala when he was selected was selected with the 9th overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. Those expectations ballooned when he signed a six year, $80 Million extension in the summer if 2008. 


But the role the Sixers needed Iguodala to command, he could never take hold of. This team desperately needed a shooter, and his offensive inconsistencies destroyed the Sixers. As a second option, he'd fit perfectly. However, he was simply asked to do too much here. He is extremely talented on the Defensive end of the ball, and his ability to attack the rim is one of a kind. On the trade market, he could command quite the return, including a lottery pick. If the Cavaliers were able to receive what turned out to be the #1 pick for Baron Davis, Iguodala could easily bring in a Top 10 pick. They would still be able to maintain the #15 pick, and therefore bring in two extremely talented rookies.


New Sixers CEO Adam Aron reiterated all season long his commitment to winning. This summer will truly attest to how important winning is to them. If management kicks their feet up and watch the rest of the Eastern Conference improve, they'll be run out of town quicker than they got here. 


It is vital that Josh Harris, Aron and company realize that this Offseason will shape the course of the Sixers for the next several years.


Will they go back to their losing ways, or will they make more Title runs for years to come?


Only time will tell.