Philadelphia 76ers eye Ben Wallace

The Philadelphia 76ers WILL improve their defense if they land Ben Wallace.

Two of the 76ers' biggest deficiencies last season were defense and rebounding, so president and general manager Billy King went after the guy who is one of the best in the NBA in both areas.

On the first day NBA teams could negotiate with free agents, King pulled a bit of a surprise yesterday and contacted the agent for Detroit Pistons center Ben Wallace, a four-time NBA defensive player of the year.

The 6-foot-9 Wallace, who will turn 32 in September, appeared ready to return to the Pistons before they were eliminated in the NBA playoffs. But during the season, he hired Arn Tellem, one of the most high-powered agents in the league, known for aggressively finding the best deals for his clients.

The Pistons are believed to be interested in signing Wallace for four years, with a salary starting at $11 million to $12 million. But another team may be interested in offering him a maximum deal of six years, with a salary beginning at $14 million or $15 million.

The Sixers, who are over the salary cap, can obtain Wallace only in a sign-and-trade with the Pistons. The Chicago Bulls, who have room under the salary cap, are also looking into signing Wallace.

Wallace averaged 11.3 rebounds (fifth in the NBA), 2.21 blocked shots and 1.8 steals last season.

King also called the representatives for the Sixers' three restricted free agents - John Salmons, Willie Green and Shavlik Randolph - as well as the agent for Washington Wizards swingman Jared Jeffries.

King tendered qualifying offers to Salmons, Green and Randolph on Thursday, meaning the Sixers will have the right to match any offer the players receive from another team. Salmons, if signed, could be used as a piece in a trade, but the Sixers seem to want Green and Randolph back.

The versatile 6-11 Jeffries, who averaged 6.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in 77 games last season while earning a little less than $2.8 million, is a restricted free agent, meaning the Wizards can match any offer he receives.

What will be the next step for the Philadelphia 76ers during the offseason? Rumor has it that they are also willing to trade Allen Iverson away, the man who single-handedly put the Sixers organization back on track. Whatever happens, the Sixers will certainly have an entirely different line-up once the brand new 2006-2007 NBA Season starts.

Will the Philadelphia 76ers trade Allen Iverson? Will Ben Wallace sign with Philadelphia? Bodog has all the player propositions on tap. Bet on Bodog today.