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Sixers contact Hawks free agents

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With more than $11 million in salary-cap space available, the 76ers dove into free agency shortly after the bell rang at 12:01 a.m. yesterday and targeted Josh Smith, the young and talented forward of the Atlanta Hawks, as their primary prospect, but not their only one. The 6-foot-9 Smith, a restricted free agent, was contacted by the Sixers almost immediately. A team spokesman said Smith and his representatives planned to meet today with president and general manager Ed Stefanski. The spokesman also said the Sixers contacted Smith's teammate, 6-8 forward Josh Childress, yesterday and expect to bring him to Philadelphia, but did not say when.

Philadelphia Inquirer

Josh Smith, Chris Graythen/Getty Images Josh Smith, Chris Graythen/Getty Images
July 2, 2008  06:02 AM ET

miami should try and get him at SF position

July 2, 2008  07:27 AM ET

This is the right move. Philadelphia should do everything in their power to get this guy. He is young and would be a nice complement to Andre Igoudala, and even younger Lou Williams.

July 2, 2008  08:07 AM ET

JSmith will work in any system. He will look for the highest bidder.

July 2, 2008  09:13 AM ET

Smith will be going to the highest bidder and should have a few bidders- If would be nice to see him in a Lakers uniform
Sign and trade him for Lamar and whoever else they want (Rad, Walton)

July 2, 2008  09:18 AM ET

Smith on the 76ers makes sense. Let's see if they can pull it off.

July 2, 2008  09:32 AM ET

The Sixers need a guy who can be a potent force in the paint, but I don't think that Josh Smith is the right guy. He certainly grabs his share of rebounds and blocks, but he doesn't score too many points down low. But then again, Smith is probably the most promising front court FA still available. Brand is going to stay in LA because of Baron Davis. So there aren't many choices left for the Sixers.

July 2, 2008  09:46 AM ET

Done deal! Smith will be a Sixer.

July 2, 2008  10:04 AM ET

Smith has been progressing nicely-
a good investment

I would not touch childress.....
decent player, but probably best suited to be a back-up
- not worthy of any $

July 2, 2008  10:10 AM ET

Josh Smith is a STUD!!! Any team in the league would benefit greatly by signing him. My only concern is that he plays like a PF with the size of a SF. He need to develop an outside game as soon as possible before defenses realize his limitations.

July 2, 2008  10:47 AM ET

The Sixers should hold on to that cap money. Wait till next year when the Free Agent market is much deeper....and spend the money (plus what they'll have after this year's expiring contracts kick-in) on someone better then Josh Smith.

Does Smith make the Sixers a contender? Not really. They still don't have a PF inside game. Josh Smith is a really good player, don't get me wrong. He needs to develop a post-up game.

The Sixer's problem is they don't have an inside presence. They don't have a back-to-the-hoop inside guy to get the tough inside points. We have a team of jump shooter & dunkers who are inconsistent at best....They don't have a 3-pt threat on the roster....They need consistent shooting and an inside player to improve this squad...

July 2, 2008  10:55 AM ET

One giant step at a time.

July 2, 2008  11:08 AM ET

josh smith is the best thing for the sixers now,it will even be better for igoudala, because he can play the #2 spot where he art to be and josh can play the #3 spot where he is best at .both guys bring defence at there spot.sammy will have lot of help on the board at #5 spot, then put SPIGHT the #16 pick in the darf at #4 spot the sixers will lead the NBA in defence and rebound in their front line with miller at the#1 spot running the show , they can make a run at the EAST and the NBA champs.your back up will be 1 pg williams 2 sg green 3 sf young 4 pf evans and 5 c smith, corney and miller will round out the 12 man roster.

July 2, 2008  11:11 AM ET

Now that Brand is probably staying in LA with Baron and the Clippers, Josh Smith is their best FA to go after

July 2, 2008  11:11 AM ET

I would not touch childress.....
decent player, but probably best suited to be a back-up
- not worthy of any $
jgb | 07/02/08, 10:04 AM

"Not worthy of any $$" ??? Huh you expect him to pay for free?
Dude, Childress was a highest scoring player in the East coming of the bench, last year. He's a terrific rebounder AND a good locker room kid. Actually his upside is much more than Smith's, who albeit more talented has an attitude problem. Such kids usually slack off after a big pay day.

In any case, I don't think ATL will let either of them go; 99% will match whatever offers would come their way

July 2, 2008  11:12 AM ET

The Sixers would have benfitted more from Brand than Smith though

July 2, 2008  11:30 AM ET

the #1 thing to do is take care of igoudala and williams contract fist ,then go after josh smith ,then make a trade for a shap shooter

July 2, 2008  11:53 AM ET

"Not worthy of any $$" ??? Huh you expect him to pay for free? "

I did NOT say he was a dog..... I meant that he is not worth BIG FA money
his #'s are 11 pts 5 rbs 2 assts (and his playoff #'s were less)

He's a good BACK-UP.........
when you are trying to build a team- you don't look for back-up help FIRST
you get starters, then 'fill' the rest of your roster LATER

July 2, 2008  12:30 PM ET

I like josh smith but he has to play the 4 1-andre miller 2- iggy 3- thaddeus young 4- josh smith 5- sammy

July 2, 2008  12:43 PM ET

i wish my heaters tried 2 get him for real.
but he will work with iguadala & that young roster.

 
July 2, 2008  01:02 PM ET

miami should try and get him at SF position

Ha Ha they took Rose | 07/02/08, 06:02 AM
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They have Marrion & Beasley...WHY????

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