The Daily Philadelphian

Since signing Elton Brand in his first offseason as the Sixers general manager, Ed Stefanski has done little right with Philly’s third best basketball team. (Villanova and Temple could both give the Sixers a run on the court these days.)

His chance to turn the tides like the weather pattern has turned this winter around ends next week. If, by Feb. 18, Stefanski hasn’t done something to alter the future of the Sixers, he doesn’t deserve his job at season’s end.

This is Stefanski’s El Nino.

Amare Stoudemire has been linked to the Sixers in trade rumors.

Andre Iguodala, once considered an untouchable, has regressed this season and will never be the clutch, sharpshooting player many have envisioned. He’s being thrown around in trade talks with Houston and Phoenix. Both deals could bring in expiring contracts at season’s end in the form of Tracy McGardy or Amare Stoudemire. Either way, the Sixers need to clear cap room and dealing Iggy may be the only way to do it.

More to the point, dealing Iggy and Samuel Dalembert to Houston makes too much sense to pass up. Dalembert’s contract has been untradeable, but it expires after next season. Suddenly, his contract has value, especially to a Rockets team that needs help in the paint with Yao Ming out for the season. Dalembert could fill that hole, then be shipped out of town next season.

McGrady, meanwhile, has played less than a complete game this entire season. Iggy could fill McGrady’s slot and add some spark to that squad, which sits at 27-23 and in the nine spot in the West. Iggy is no McGrady when the superstar is healthy, but something is better than nothing.

In today’s Inquirer, Kate Fagan discusses Stefanski’s meaningless words about making a deal if it makes “basketball sense.”

It's time to send Andre Igodala out of town.

Even if nothing presents itself in the case of Iguodala, Stafanski must make a move to clear some of these guys out of town. The Sixers have compiled a lot of young talent with POTENTIAL. The same guys who win championships for being under the salary cap win titles with potential.

The Boston Celtics tried to build a young nucleus and eventually gave up. Instead, they traded the young chips for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Together, with Paul Pierce, the cagy vets brought a title to Boston.

At this point, that is the model to follow. Trade Iggy for a Stoudemire and hope you can convince him to stay after this year (he holds an option for next season). If not, at least you’ve cleared some money to make a run at next year’s prized free agents.

And, if you can’t deal Iggy, then move a Thaddeus Young, or Lou Williams or even a Jrue Holiday if you can get value in return.

The only thing the Sixers can’t do is stand pat. Start to get pieces in place now so you can make a move next offseason.

The momentum for a deal is there. It’s up to Stefanski to jump on the jet stream and make it happen. Otherwise, he might as well just go bury himself in the snow because that’s where he’ll find himself after the season.