State of the Cap: Philadelphia 76ers

[headliner]

2006/07 Philadelphia 76ers Payroll: $82.3 million
2006/07 Estimated NBA Salary Cap: $52 million
Roughly: $30.3 million over cap

The Good: Andre Iguodala firmly established himself as a major piece of the 76ers this season. He does so many things on the court that can help the team. Besides his scoring, which was up to 12 points per game this year on 50% shooting, Andre plays excellent defense, rebounds very well for a guard (5.9 average), and can dish a few assists each night. He was robbed at the dunk contest, where he displayed his incredible athleticism and made a name for himself amongst basketball fans. The 76ers will have Andre for two more seasons at the rookie rate of about $2.5 million per year, by far the best bargain on the team.

Compared to some of his teammates, Kyle Korver's deal is chump change. Korver signed a 6-year deal last summer at an average of just $4.5 million a season. While the sharpshooter is not the kind of player who can fill up a box score, he will stretch the defense with his stellar 42% shooting from beyond the arc. This is a rare case where a young NBA player actually signs a contract for what he is worth. Shocking!

Allen Iverson still has three years and $60 million remaining on his deal and there is word that AI could have a new home after this disappointing season for Philly. The blame could hardly be pointed at him. Iverson had one of the better years of his career, averaging a personal best 33 points per game while handing out 7.4 assists and shooting a respectable 44% from the field (second best as a pro). AI is one of the few players who can earn such a fat contract. It's hard to believe that Iverson would be going anywhere.

The Bad: Suddenly, the contracts of Chris Webber and Allen Iverson don't look so bad. There is a new bloated contract in town, and it belongs to the already underachieving Samuel Dalembert. There are 5 years left on the deal he signed last summer at an average of more than $10 million per year. Like Korver, Dalembert is a specialist. He'll give you blocks and rebounds, but not much else. Unlike Korver, Dalembert is being paid an All-Star's salary for unimpressive stats. His 2.5 blocks per game was nice, but the young center averaged just 8.3 rebounds and contributed very little on offense. Those stats would be fine if he was being paid half as much. Dalembert needs to stay healthy and get more consistent if he is to earn his contract.

It is difficult to say that Webber's contract is a bad one considering the numbers he put up this year. 20 points and nearly 10 boards a game is nothing to laugh at. However, his shot selection is terrible, which contributed to the veteran forward shooting just 43% from the field. Plus, as evidenced by Philly's sub-.500 record, Webber hasn't exactly helped their win total. Webber is owed $20.7 and $22.3 million the next two seasons, a little more than Iverson. When you are paid more than the team's biggest star, you need to step up your play and win games. Webber hasn't done that.

The Future: This season couldn't have been more disappointing for the 76ers. When nearly all of your salary cap is swallowed up by three players, you expect those players to win games for you. Philadelphia couldn't even make the playoffs despite a weak Eastern Conference. There is little the team can do to improve. They have no cap space the next two seasons, which means their only option is to make a trade. Giving up Iguodala would be insane and losing Korver doesn't make sense since they just signed him to a long-term deal. There will be interest in Allen Iverson, but would the 76ers get something in return that would actually make them a better team? That is doubtful.

The real problem with this team is Webber. His contract removes any chance of adding free agents and his play on the court provides empty stats. Like Stephon Marbury or Tracy McGrady, Webber will put up great numbers while his team under-performs. Philadelphia is basically stuck with him at least until next summer when they might be able to trade away his expiring contract. Fans should be counting the days until he is gone and praying that Iverson and Iguodala are still around when it happens.

Bonus Points? for using the new amnesty clause on Aaron McKie. That move will save the team $13.5 million in luxury tax payments over the next two years. McKie didn't fit on this team once the younger players took his spot in the lineup.

*This total includes the salaries of retired players Jamal Mashburn ($10.85 million) and Todd MacCulloch ($6.8 million). Those contracts are done after next season.

Grade: D[/b]

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