Will The Philadelphia 76ers Shop Andre Iguodala This Off-Season?

By: David Kay

Philadelphia 76ers (41-41 last season)

’10-’11 Season in Review: 
A year after finishing with their worst record in more than a decade, the Philadelphia 76ers returned to respectability behind first year head coach Doug Collins, only to bow out to the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs.

Balance was both a strength and weakness for the Sixers this past season.  No player averaged more than 15 points per game but eight players scored at least seven per contest.  It is nice to have that shared output on the offensive end but also left the team without a true go-to player when they needed a basket.

Elton Brand remained healthy for a second straight season but is still a shell of the player he was pre-injury with the Clippers and one of the most overpaid players in the league with more than $35 million owed his way for the next two seasons.  Andre Iguodala saw his scoring numbers dip but still contributed in all areas of the game finishing second on the team in points, rebounds, and assists, and leading the team in steals.

The drafting of Evan Turner with the second overall pick was questioned by some since it was uncertain as to how he would compliment Iggy on the wing.  Those worries came to light in Turner’s rookie year as his offensive production was incredibly sporadic due to struggles shooting the rock.  Philly still faces the issue of figuring out how to best use Iguodala and Turner since they both are not threats from beyond the arc.

The two biggest positives of the season came from second year players Jrue Holiday and Jodie Meeks.  Holiday solidified his status as the point guard of the future which is especially encouraging since he is only 21 years old.  Meeks ended up starting 64 games and ended up being Philly’s three-point threat. Thaddeus Young and Lou Williams were also bright spots, proving to be valuable assets off the bench.

Spencer Hawes was brought in to strengthen the inside play but actually regressed from his lackluster days in Sacramento.  His disappointing season often times forced Collins to go with a smaller line-up that put Brand at center and Young at power forward, or even play the undersized Marresse Speights in the middle.

With no cap flexibility this off-season, the 76ers do not have a ton of room for improvement unless they are willing to deal Iguodala which will almost certainly be an on-going rumor all summer.  It is something Philly will have to at least consider because the ceiling for their current roster is not high enough to become real players in the improving Eastern Conference and there is no sign of cap relief until the summer of 2013.