While 76ers forward Andre Iguodala did a crossover and talked to a group of campers yesterday at the Flyers Skate Zone in the Northeast, team president and general manager Ed Stefanski began working on a move of his own as NBA free agency got under way.
The main priority for Stefanski is to resolve the case of point guard Andre Miller, the 33-year-old, 10-year pro who has started since coming to the Sixers in the 2006 trade that sent Allen Iverson to the Denver Nuggets. To that end, Stefanski spoke with Miller's agent, Andy Miller, yesterday morning. "I cannot discuss any negotiations during the period of July 1 through July 8," Stefanski said when reached yesterday afternoon.
Miller, who is looking to land a contract in the neighborhood of $10 million a year for three years, could get more money from the Sixers than any other team since that is the organization that employed him last season. But Miller could also agree to a sign-and-trade, or just exercise his right to hook up with the team of his choice and leave the Sixers with nothing in return.
"It's kind of hard to get into other guys' situations," said Iguodala, who has been in touch with Miller. "Around these times, you don't want to pester. But I've told him many times, we'd be on the court, and somebody's shooting free throws, and I'm like, 'Dre, you coming back next year?' He'd laugh, but he knows we want him back."
Though the Sixers have said their preference is to re-sign Miller, speculation stirred this week that had them looking to do a sign-and-trade with the Portland Trail Blazers that would bring point guard Steve Blake to Philadelphia.
But in a published report in the Portland Tribune on Tuesday, representatives of both teams denied that such talks were in the offing.
Iguodala, who signed an $80 million, six-year contract last August as his free agent year was approaching, doesn't envy Miller's position.
"I went through it last year a little bit," said Iguodala, who recently returned from a vacation in Italy. "I had teams calling, but this summer's a little different than any other summer. With the economy and salary caps, I had perfect timing. I hope next time it comes up, I have perfect timing again."
Notes. The Sixers announced that first-year head coach Eddie Jordan has named Mike O'Koren as associate head coach, and he has decided to retain Jimmy Lynam and Aaron McKie as assistant coaches. Lynam and McKie worked under former Sixers coaches Maurice Cheeks and Tony DiLeo.
Contact staff writer Kevin Tatum at 215-854-2583 or ktatum@phillynews.com.
