Bad news for DC

Kevin Mulligan of the Philadelphia Daily News reports that Derrick Coleman won’t be ready for the start of the season as originally expected. In a press conference to introduce the Sixers’ newest player, Brian Skinner, Philadelphia General Manager Billy King revealed that Coleman’s recovery from knee surgery is not going as well as planned.

Coleman will miss the first month of the season after an examination Monday in New York showed the tissue in his left knee had not mended properly since June arthroscopic surgery. Coleman originally was expected to miss 3 to 4 months, with the hope he would be strong enough to open camp on Oct. 1, but now is not due back until late November. The season begins Oct. 29.

This news surprised all of us, Derrick as well," King said. "The tissue just hasn't healed as quickly as expected. Fortunately, with the addition of veterans like [Skinner], we've got an abundance of big guys who can play, and now it will be a matter of competing to see who gets minutes."

While Sixers brass attempted to downplay the Coleman news, it is a large blow to a team that spent the offseason adding depth and athleticism behind what appeared to be a set starting five of Allen Iverson, Eric Snow, Keith Van Horn, Todd MacCulloch and Coleman.

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Philadelphia 76ers

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Sixers Sign Skinner

The Sixers signed Cleveland free agent Brian Skinner to a one-year contract today. He will be penciled in as Derrick Coleman's backup at the power forward position.

With Cleveland last year, he averaged 3.4 points and 4.3 rebounds in 65 games (eight starts). The four-year NBA veteran has career averages of 4.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, playing in 158 contests while starting 40 of them.

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Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers

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With Hunter out, magic look at other options

Jerry Brewer of the Orlando Sentinel reports: Already lacking in their frontcourt, the Orlando Magic suffered a big loss Monday when doctors determined that Steven Hunter tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Hunter injured the knee while playing in a big-man camp in Bradenton last week. A date for surgery has not been set. The best prognosis for his recovery is four to six months. Assuming he heals that quickly and has no problems, Hunter likely will miss the first half of the season. But it's possible that he could miss the entire year.

The Magic, who have traded Don Reid and bought out Patrick Ewing's contract this summer, already were looking for frontcourt help. Losing Hunter means they'll have to sign an extra big body.

"We were already looking to add that," General Manager John Gabriel said. "It just punctuates what we have to do."

If they are not interested in acquiring a player through trade, the Magic's options on the open market are limited. They want free agent Brian Skinner, but there will be competition from Philadelphia for his services.

The Magic have some interest in Shawn Kemp, who is now free after agreeing to a buyout settlement from Portland. But they also have the same concerns most teams have about Kemp: motivation, weight problems and past drug abuse.

Asked about Kemp, Gabriel would only say, "We're exploring all options."

If the Magic are to trade for a post player, they likely would look to Golden State, who likely would be willing to part with Adonal Foyle or Danny Fortson.

RealGM Note: If Orlando wants to stay under $50 million in total salaries like they had originally planned to avoid possibily paying the luxury tax, then they can only sign one more minimum salary player.

Via Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers

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