Trigger Too Soon
Posted by David on July 13th, 2010
I am aware that the 76ers traded Sam Dalembert quite some time ago, but it has been bothering me as of late. I firmly believe that this was an absolutely terrible trade. No, not because Dalembert really possesses any talent. He is a good shot-blocker and can rebound, but his laziness, ability to complain, foul trouble, inconsistency, and more takes his positives and turns them into huge negatives.
Philadelphia fans had to watch him stink up the joint for eight seasons, so what is one more to fans? More importantly, he has a large expiring contract. Now the 76ers got a mediocre young center in Spencer Hawes, and a role player in Andres Nocioni. What will it get them? This team is still a few years away from remotely competing for anything. If Dalembert’s contract just flat out expired, the 76ers would have had a humungous amount of cap space next summer. Sure 76ers fans do not want another Elton Brand signing, but the team could have slowly used its cap space and got players that fit their future plans.
Alternatively, they could have traded Dalembert for a good player next season. All-Star caliber players are often traded mid-season for expiring contracts, such as Pau Gasol and Kevin Martin. For example, Philadelphia could have entered the Al Jefferson sweepstakes (or whatever a lesser version of sweepstakes are) with Dalembert’s large expiring deal. So instead of acquiring an all-star at some point, the 76ers got a soft young center, and a veteran role player. Nocioni would help out a team that is competing, but what will he do for the team this season? He will just hit 3-pointers for a team poised to miss the playoffs.
For years, 76ers fans wanted Dalembert gone. But management should have waited it out this time.
by David at the Sports Fan Blog Network
