Philadelphia's rebuild project is certainly in progress and likely will be for at least another year. This summer clearly marks a vital moment. Ed Stefanski has a few priorities: Decide how much you're willing to spend to keep Andre Iguodala, figure out how much you have to pay Louis Williams to keep him, and pick a free agent forward to target.The first two decisions might already be out of Philly's hands -- the market on hyperathletic two-guards hasn't been terribly volatile, and $9-11 million per year for Iguodala should be assured; Williams, depending on how neatly wrapped Maurice Cheeks keeps him the remainder of this season, should draw sub-T.J. Ford money... likely $6-7 million a season. That leaves substantial room behind for a free agent, no matter how much cap space Andre Miller's almost-assured exit liberates. Marc Narducci of the Philadelphia Inquirer wonders aloud if restricted free agent Josh Smith might be a nice sight. And how he would! Smith might be the best shotblocker in the nation, and Samuel Dalembert's got that skill, too. Both Smith and Iguodala have some the ability to hawk the ball on the perimeter, too -- this'd have the makings of an explosive defense.
Emeka Okafor looms as another restricted free agent with equal reason for excitement. But the advantage of looking Smith's way? That dastardly Atlanta ownership situation. If it's still a disaster, will the warring Hawks owners be able to reach legal consensus on matching a Philly offer in the seven days allotted? If the stingy one gets control, will he gladly watch Josh walk away? Restricted free agents are hard to nab away; I suspect Atlanta's RFAs will be easier acquired for wanting teams.
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