Can the 76ers Contend in the East Next Year?

Back on Dec. 19, 2006, the day Philadelphia dealt franchise player Allen Iverson to the Nuggets, the thought of the 76ers contending anytime in the near future seemed about as likely as Jessica Alba calling me up and asking me out on a date.

And yet with one of the strongest 2nd halves of anyone in the East and three first-round picks in supposedly the best draft in years, Philly is in position to make major moves. Quick. Here's how they should do it:

1) Think Big at 7. Andre Iguodala had the breakyear year everyone expected (18.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.7 assists), it's just that he had zero interior help. Can you imagine what three-point specialist Kyle Korver could do with a big man that commanded double teams? The solotion is simple: the 76ers should offer their three picks (estimated at being 7, 20, 30) for the top pick and grab Oden. If Memphis (or whomever) doesn't bite, pray for Roy Hibbert to slide down. If neither is around, take the best player on the board, regardless of position.

2) Grab a Big Free Agent. There are a few worth mentioning that would certainly help inside, and my top choice for the 76ers would be Anderson Varejao. Absolutely love the work ethic. There's always guys like Jamaal Magloire and Primoz Brezec, but I'd lean toward Varejao because he hustles just about as well as any power forward in the league, and at 24, he's younger than Magloire and Brezec.

3) Late Draft Picks. Philly has a flotilla of wing players (Willie Green, Rodney Carney, Louis Williams), but no frontcourt depth behind Sam Dalembert. Here are two late first-round sleepers I like to help fortify the 76ers frontcourt: Duke's Josh McRoberts and BC's Sean Williams. McRoberts at 20 would gold; he'd be a great fit next to Dalembert, just as he fit next to Shelden Williams at Duke. Sean Williams, who was booted from BC, is a bit of a wild card. He's a shot-blocking menace, much like Dalembert, and playing these two at the same time would give the 76ers a strong defensive interior.