2008–09 Philadelphia 76ers season

NBA season
team = Philadelphia 76ers
end_year = 2009
wins = 0
losses = 0
division = atlantic
division_place = TBD
conf_place = TBD
coach = Maurice Cheeks
arena = Wachovia Center
playoffs = TBD

The 2008-09 Philadelphia 76ers season will be the 70th season of the franchise, 60th in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Key dates

*June 26: The 2008 NBA Draft took place in New York City, New York.
*July 1: The free agency period started.
*October 8: The Sixers preseason started with a game against the Boston Celtics.
*October 29: The Sixers season will start with a game against the Toronto Raptors.

ummary

2008 NBA Draft

On June 26, the Sixers selected power forward/center Marreese Speights from Florida with the 16th overall pick. Their second round pick was previously traded to the Utah Jazz on June 7th, 2005 for a second round pick in the 2005 NBA Draft.

Free Agency

The Sixers headed into the off-season with free agents Louis Amundson, Calvin Booth, Herbert Hill, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Ollie, Shavlik Randolph and Louis Williams.

On June 24, the Sixers extended qualifying offers to key restricted free agents Andre Iguodala and Louis Williams. The Sixers brought in Atlanta Hawks restricted free agent Josh Smith on July 3 for a tour of Philadelphia but left the city without signing an offer sheet. [CBSSports.com wire, [http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/10884910 Sixers spend day wooing Hawks' Smith] , "CBSSportsline.com", July 2, 2008.]

On July 9 after denouncing their rights to their unrestricted free agents [http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20080717_Sixers_GM_Stefanski_in_talks_to_re-sign_Iguodala.html] , and trading Rodney Carney and Calvin Booth [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gxkE9qbHuElAU6Gv4H4qL8hFR0eQD91QID504] , the Sixers signed 2-time NBA All-Star Power Forward Elton Brand of the Los Angeles Clippers to a 5 year contract reportedly worth 78-82 Million dollars. [Sixers.com, [http://www.nba.com/sixers/news/sixers_sign_elton_brand.html/ 76ers Sign Two-time NBA All-star Elton Brand] , "Sixers.com", July 9, 2008.]

After the Brand signing, the first weeks of July were quiet in terms of free agency. Rumors spread that key restricted free agents Andre Iguodala and Louis Williams were being pursued by the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors respectively.

On July 24 it was announced by Philly.com that the Sixers had come to terms with Point Guard Royal Ivey of the Milwaukee Bucks for a 2-year league minimum contract. The deal was finalized and signed on Monday July 28.

Also on July 28, Philly.com released that the Sixers had come to terms with Shooting Guard Kareem Rush of the Indiana Pacers. The deal was finalized and signed on Tuesday July 29. [Philly.com, [http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20080728_76ers_come_to_terms_with_Kareem_Rush.html 76ers come to terms with Kareem Rush] , "Philly.com", July 28, 2008.]

After news reports stated that Louis Williams rejected a 3.9 Million dollar deal from the Sixers and Louis was talking to the Cleveland Cavaliers [Phillyburbs.com, [http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/100-07302008-1570132.html Rush signs, Williams rumors simmer] , "Phillyburbs.com", July 30, 2008.] , he signed a 5 year deal on July 31 [Philly.com, [http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/sports/20080731_Sixers__Williams_agree_on_5-year_deal.html Sixers, Williams agree on 5-year deal] , "Philly.com", July 31, 2008.] .

On Aug 12 it was announced by ESPN that the Sixers had come to terms with restricted free agent Andre Iguodala on a reported 6 year 80 million dollar deal. [ESPN.com, [http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3532139 Sources: Iguodala agrees to six-year, $80 million deal with Sixers] , "www.ESPN.com", August 12, 2008.] . After several days, it was officially announced on Aug 18 that Iguodala had signed the deal.

On Aug 19 Philly.com announced that veteran backup big man Theo Ratliff had agreed to terms on veterans league minimum 1 year 1.4 million dollar deal with the 76ers. Ratliff had previously played with Philadelphia from 1997-2001. Ratliff was named a All-Star in 2001, but was unable to play because of an injury. [Philly.com, [http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/20080819_Source_says_Ratliff__Sixers_agree_to_1-year_deal.html Source says Ratliff, Sixers agree to 1-year deal] , " [http://www.Philly.com] ", August 19, 2008.]

On September 1, 2008 following his placement on waivers Donyell Marshall agreed to terms with the Philadelphia 76ers for a one year contract for the league minimum $1,262,275 (for veterans with at least 10 years of experience). The story was first reported by The Philadelphia Daily News [http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080901_Donyell_Marshall_set_to_join_Sixers.html]

Draft picks

Free Agents

Additions

col-end

References

ee also

*2008–09 NBA season