DRAFT PICK

Marreese Speights, F, 6-10, Florida -- Could compete for backup minutes at power forward; needs to get stronger and improve conditioning.

BIGGEST NEEDS
The Sixers landed the power forward they craved in unrestricted free agent Elton Brand, thanks to a five-year, $83 million contract. That took care of their weakest position with Brand, a 20- and 10-career guy. The team added a backup point guard in Royal Ivey and a decent outside shooter in Kareem Rush.

FREE AGENT FOCUS
G Kevin Ollie, F Shavlik Randolph and F/C Herbert Hill are unrestricted free agents who won't be back. Hill signed a contract to play for Le Mans in France. C Calvin Booth was traded to the Timberwolves to clear cap space after picking up a $1.14 million player option. G Lou Williams signed a five-year deal worth roughly $25 million to remain a Sixer. F/G Andre Iguodala, who is a restricted free agent, wants a five- or six-year deal worth at least $70 million. Iguodala turned down a five-year, $57 million extension last October.

PLAYER NOTES

--G Andre Miller has exchanged text messages with team president Ed Stefanski. Stefanski said Miller was happy with the team's off-season moves and working out in preparation for 2008-09. Stefanski said he and Miller haven't discussed extending Miller's contract, which expires next summer, but he hopes to broach the topic with Miller before the start of training camp.

Representatives for F/G Andre Iguodala and the Sixers continue to negotiate toward a long-term contract.

"Negotiations are progressing," said team president Ed Stefanski. "That's all I'll say about it. It takes time. Things just don't happen overnight."

--Should rookie F Marreese Speights continue to wear No. 16, as he did in the summer league, he'll become the first Sixer since Bailey Howell (1970-71) to do so.

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