Sixers ship Dalembert to Kings

The Sixers have finally gotten one of the worst contracts in the NBA off the books. Samuel Dalembert, who was set to make 12.9 million dollars in the last year of his deal in this coming season, was shipped to the Kings for forward Andres Nocioni and center Spencer Hawes.

To get rid of a bad contract like Dalembert, the Sixers had to take on some hefty salary in return, especially Nocioni's 13.5 million over the next two years. Nocioni, a 6 year veteran, has put up some decent numbers in his career, including averaging 11.3 points per game, but he isn't worth that big money. Expect Nocioni to be a nice contributing member off the bench for the Sixers, playing his physical style at both forward positions.

As for Spencer Hawes, the Sixers are getting a young player that has a bit of upside. Hawes has played three years for the Kings and averaged 8.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game and has gotten better with increasing playing time. He was a former 10th overall pick in the 2007 draft, so the kid has some talent but he likely doesn't project to be a starting center on a good NBA team. As for his contract, Hawes is set to make nearly 3 million next season and has a 4 million dollar qualifying offer for 2011.

This trade could have major ramifications on who the Sixers are looking to draft with the second pick next week. Basically, you can look at it one of two ways: either the Sixers now feel like they have solidified their frontcourt with Elton Brand, Marreese Speights, Nocioni and Hawes and they will take guard Evan Turner or the Sixers now feel they have a hole down low that they will plug with Derrick Favors. Even with the trade, I'm still firmly in the Turner camp. When you aren't a very good team, you have to take the second best player in the draft with the second overall pick.

My opinion of this trade has swung wildly from being initially very happy to be rid of Dalembert to now wondering why the Sixers couldn't get something better with his expiring contract. A 12.9 million dollar expiring contract can be gold in the NBA, something that can be used to bring in draft picks or a quality young player. While they do get a little more cap space in this coming season, the Sixers must think more of Spencer Hawes than I do, because I don't think they got enough value in return.