National Basketball Association

Sixers: Dalembert trade won't change draft plans

Published Jun. 18, 2010 11:25 p.m. ET

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The Philadelphia 76ers worked out Georgia Tech's Derrick Favors and Kentucky's DeMarcus Cousins on Friday, getting a look at two top big men a day after the team traded starting center Samuel Dalembert.

But Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski said the trade that sent Dalembert to the Sacramento Kings will not affect the team's plans in the June 24 draft. The team's pre-draft workouts have been scheduled for weeks.

``I think we're where we were before - the same draft options we had,'' Stefanski said. ``We're very fortunate to be drafting No. 2. I don't think (the trade) changes it a lot.''

Favors spent one season at Georgia Tech, averaging 12.4 points and 8.4 rebounds. In his only year at Kentucky, Cousins averaged 15.1 points and 9.8 rebounds.

Some predictions also have Philadelphia using the No. 2 overall pick to take Ohio State guard Evan Turner, who worked out for the Sixers on Thursday, shortly before the team acquired young 7-footer Spencer Hawes and veteran forward Andres Nocioni from Sacramento for Dalembert.

Dalembert averaged 8.1 points and 8.3 rebounds over eight up-and-down seasons in Philadelphia. The 6-foot-11 center had repeatedly asked to be traded in recent years, but a 15 percent trade kicker made that a tough task.

``That was the big problem,'' Stefanski said of the kicker, which increased Dalembert's 2010-11 salary from $12.2 million to roughly $14 million.

In return for Dalembert, the Sixers received a much cheaper big man in Hawes, who averaged 10.0 points and 6.1 rebounds last season. They hope his shooting and passing skills will provide the them with a different look than they had with the defensive-minded Dalembert.

``Now every one of our big guys are skilled offensively,'' said recently hired Sixers coach Doug Collins. ``They can all shoot, and I think that's a great thing. ... Obviously when you lose Sam, you lose defense and rebounding. But we got a couple of other pieces, and we feel good about that.''

The other piece is Nocioni, a six-year veteran who is due $13.5 million over the next two seasons. The 6-7 Argentine is known for his shooting (37 percent career from 3-point range).

``Nocioni is one of the toughest guys in the league,'' Collins said. ``I think Philadelphia will love this guy.''

Stefanski did not rule out the possibility of making another move before or during the draft.

``We are going to keep looking to see if we can tweak this even more,'' Stefanski said.

He wouldn't say if trading down in the draft was a ``tweak'' he was considering, but both Favors and Cousins believe they are in play to be the Sixers' selection at No. 2.

``I think I do (have a shot),'' Favors said. ``But if I don't, whatever team I get picked by, I'm going to go in and work hard.''

Cousins also said he thinks he could be a good fit for Philadelphia.

``They need a big man,'' said Cousins. ``When I saw (the Dalembert) trade, that really opened my eyes.''