MVN: Most Valuable Network

Just to visit folks, not permanently. Josh Smith and his agents Brian Dyke and Wallace Prowther are set to meet with Ed Stefanski and the Sixers today. I'm sure this meeting will consist of both business and a little tour around the city. I hope Ed has had experience with sales pitches.

Reportedly, the Sixers contacted the restricted free-agent right after free-agency started, showing immediate interest. Atlanta offered Josh a $45 million contract extension during the season that was shot down. It will probably take the entire cap space but the Sixers can offer up to $66.7 million for 5 years. The Hawks would like to sign resticted free-agent Josh Childress to a deal as well.

The only thing the Hawks can play against the Sixers is the "loyalty card" or give him the, "this is your hometown" pitch. The Hawks have said that they will just sit back and match any offer that is given. In this egotistical NBA, that could send a bad message to the player and rip up that loyalty card in a flash. Hopefully that happens.

Josh Childress, the former no. 6 pick, is also set to meet with Sixers reps. later this week. Personally, I like Childress. He's a good, smart player that would fit into our system well. He can run, rebound very well and shoot a little despite his nasty form. He was a key contributor off the bench and gave a spark every time he stepped on the court during their playoff run against Boston. He was in a bad situation with management drafting people at his same position year after year (similar to us drafting Thaddeus, Rodney and Andre).

Elton Brand is probably nothing more than a dream now. It is unlikely we get both players out of Atlanta due to cap restrictions. I suspect the Hawks management (whoever that may be) are not big fans of ours at this point.