Larry Hughes Back To The Sixers?

The Sacramento Kings have waived Larry Hughes who was acquired  just last week as part of the three-team deal involving the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks.  The Bobcat, coached by Hughes former coach Larry Brown, are rumored to be interested in Hughes services.  A return to the 76ers would be a logical fit as well, since Allen Iverson has once again left the team to be with his ailing daughter and is rumored to be released.

PCPTAKE:  We’re all for any move that keeps Willie Green off the court.

76ers Make Trade

Jodi Meeks

Two league sources have told ESPN’s Chad Ford that the Milwaukee Bucks have agreed to a trade sending Jodie Meeks and Francisco Elson to the Philadelphia 76ers for Primoz Brezec, Royal Ivey and a second round pick. The contracts of Elson, Brezec and Ivey are all expiring.
Meeks is a rookie drafted out of Kentucky (2nd round #41 overall), whose contract has a another two years remaining. Though shooting just 36% in limited playing time this season for the Bucks (11 mpg), he is known as a shooter and will have every opportunity to prove himself with the 76ers. He became expendable when the Bucks acquired John Salmons from the Chicago Bulls yesterday.
Elson is currently out after hernia surgery in early February and may not play much for the rest of the season.

76ers “Want To Bring Back Value” In Trade

Philadelphia general manager Ed Stefanski addressed trade rumors prior to the team’s game against Miami on Tuesday night.

“If we send anybody out, we want to bring back value …,” Stefanski said. “We’re very active, and a lot of teams are looking for us to do financial deals, to send back expiring contracts – we want to improve the product on the court.”

The 76ers entered Tuesday’s game with a 20-32 record, but Stefanski doesn’t think it’s wise to “blow up” the team.

“I have talked to season-ticket holders, I’ve talked to fans, I’ve talked to the press, who all have different theories and ideas of how it would be better to, in their term, ‘Blow it up,’ ” Stefanski said. “When people say you blow it up, there are a lot of things you need to think about in just dismantling a team like that.

“You’re not always guaranteed when you dismantle that team and you draft in a certain spot, that the player you want is going to be there, the franchise player is going to be there. Or the year you may have the cap space, that the player will be there.”

Via Philadelphia Inquirer

Amare To The Sixers?

According to a report from ESPN, the Philadelphia 76ers and Pheoeix Suns are discussing a deal that would send Andre Iguodala and Samuel Dalembert to the Suns in exchange for Amare Stoudemire.  According to the report, the Sixers are the side holding up the deal.

The trade makes sense for both sides, as the Sixers are desperate to unload Dalembert and have shown a willingness to package him with Iguodala in order to do so.  For the Suns, Stoudemire is seeking a max contract and a willingness from the Suns organization to spend more in order to improve the team…neither is going to happen.

Sacramento Kings Interested In Dalembert

According to the Sacramento Bee, league sources polled this week say that the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks are the two teams most actively seeking trades prior to the deadline, with the 76ers shopping some of their bigger contracts, small forward Andre Iguodala (with four seasons remaining and a combined $56.5 million overall) and center Samuel Dalembert ($12.9 million fior next season). The article indicates that the Kings have shown interest in acquiring Dalembert.

Sixers: Iggy On The Move?

by Michael DeLuca

The Sixers have been trying to dump Samuel Dalembert and his $13 million 2010-2011 salary off on the Houston Rockets since news broke that Yao Ming would miss the entire 09-10 season.  Their hope was to get back the expiring contract of Tracy McGrady, though fillers would be necessary on Philly’s end.  Trade talks have resumed recently and, according to Katie Fagan of the Philadelphia Inquirer, a source close to the situation has confirmed that the Houston Rockets will only discuss a deal with the Sixers if it involves Andre Iguodala.  Iguodala was considered an untouchable by Sixers’ GM Ed Stefanski as recently as a season ago but this is the second trade scenario he’s been linked to this week, the first one involving the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Iggy has more than $56 million remaining on his contract, which includes three more seasons.

PCPTAKE:   A Dalembert/Iguodala for McGrady & Chase Buddinger deal would make a lot of sense for the both teams.  The Sixers would shed two large contracts, allowing them to be players in the star studded 2010 free agent market & Buddinger is a decent prospect that could absorb some of Iggy’s minutes while developing.

Philly Sports: Quick Scoops

EAGLES:  A few days back I told you to keep an eye on TCU’s Jerry Hughes as a potential draft selection of the Philadelphia Eagles.  In last night’s Fiesta Bowl, Hughes went without a sack but did apply constant pressure on Boise State’s quarterback Kellen Moore.  Hughes forced a fumble in the game and deflected a pass from Moore.  We’ve got a long way to go until the combine and draft, but Hughes name will likely be in play for the Philadelphia Eagles, who will draft towards the bottom of round 1 (maybe not too far to the bottom considering last week’s performance).

PHILLIES:  According to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki the Phils have extended a minor league offer to relief pitcher Scott Eyre.  In other news, the team has agreed to a contract with Danny Baez pending a physical.  Baez has the highest ground ball to fly ball ration of all available relievers and thus should be a good fit for Citizen’s Bank Park.

76ers:  The team finished up a 5 game West Coast road trip with a victory over the Denver Nuggets.  The team went 3-2 on the swing and may be turning the corner now that Lou Williams and Mareerse Speights are healthy and the players’s roles are becoming more clearly defined in new head coach Eddie Jordan’s system.  Elton Brand continues to impress as the most overpaid 6th man in the NBA.

Sixers Just 3.5 Games Back In Playoff Race

by Michael DeLuca

It may be an odd headline and, sure, we’re only a little over a third of the way through the NBA season but something grabbed me after viewing the standings this morning following the team’s Monday night comeback victory over the Portland Trailblazers.  The Philadelphia 76ers, despite their woeful start, are still very much alive in the Eastern Conference.  To begin, more than 50% of the teams in the league make the post season.  In addition, the Eastern Conference is top heavy, with the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, and Atlanta Hawks all playing .720+ ball!  The 7th and 8th spots are currently occupied by the Charlotte Bobcats and Milwaukee Bucks, both with records of just 12-17.

Are the 76ers good…no.  Are they talented…yes.  I see only one direction for this team to go and last night’s game might be an indication that they are beginning to head in it.  The team is healthy for the first time in quite a while, Elton Brand is beginning to make solid contributions for the first time as a 76er and the team seems to be grasping Eddie Jordan’s system a bit better.  In addition, you can credit Jordan with loosening the reigns a little bit and allowing the team to do a bit more of what they do best…ATTACK.

Iverson Humbled?

Humbled? I don’t buy it. Disturbed? Perhaps.

Iverson attempted to hold back tears during his Thursday afternoon press conference regarding his return to the Philadelphia 76ers. On Wednesday, Iverson agreed to a prorated veteran’s minimum salary to return to the City of Brotherly Love. The contract is not guaranteed.

Iverson said all the right things, praising the Philadelphia fans and saying, “I have a love for them and they love me and it’s evident.” Iverson went on to say, “When I had the opportunity to come back here. I couldn’t turn it down.”

Iverson also said that he would be content in any role the team saw fit for him. Yup, definitely not buying it.

Sixers Coach Downplays Iverson Rumors

Philadelphia 76ers coach Eddie Jordan has told The Associated Press that he hasn’t talked to the team’s former franchise player, Allen Iverson, about a return to the City of Brotherly Love.

Jordan claimed that he’s had no discussions whatsoever regarding Iverson and that the team is not currently considering any free agents. Team sources told ESPN.com on Saturday that “Iverson’s return is not a certainty and that no face-to-face meetings between Iverson and anyone from the franchise have been scheduled.”

PCPTAKE: Iverson will be in the starting lineup by this time next week. Don’t buy this smokescreen.