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http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/100-07122006-682587.html
By TOM MOORE
phillyBurbs.com
PHILADELPHIA — The 76ers are on the verge of making a trade.
No, not that trade.
As soon as today, the Sixers are expected to send restricted free agent John Salmons, who didn't figure into their future plans, to the Suns for a second-round pick and a $1.8 million trade exception that they'd have one year to use.
Salmons, a Plymouth Whitemarsh High graduate who earned $1.67 million in 2005-06, will end up with a five-year, $22 million contract out of the deal, starting at $3.6 million and increasing annually by 10 percent, according to a source close to the situation.
Salmons, a 6-foot-7 combination guard, averaged career-highs in points (7.5), assists (2.7), rebounds (2.7) and minutes (25.1) in playing all 82 games as a fourth-year pro.
Phoenix reached the Western Conference finals last season.
As for the Allen Iverson sweepstakes, team president Billy King continues working the phones. It could take three or four teams to complete this blockbuster.
Among the available players King doesn't appear interested in are the Celtics' Wally Szczerbiak and ex-Sixer Theo Ratliff, who is eligible to be traded Aug. 28, as well as the Nuggets' Kenyon Martin, the Warriors' Troy Murphy and the Knicks' Stephon Marbury.
One possibility could be the Nuggets, who can offer a package including any two of these three players — Andre Miller, Ruben Patterson and Marcus Camby — to make the salaries come within the required 25 percent.
In other Sixers news, restricted free agents Willie Green (five years, $17 million) and Shavlik Randolph (two years, $2 million) should be signed by Thursday, the final day of rookie/free-agent camp.
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The Sixers begin competition in Utah's Rocky Mountain ***** on Friday.
Steve Castleberry, who played one year in high school at Solebury School and finished his collegiate career at Rider, is taking another shot at becoming a Sixer.
Castleberry is one of the big men at the team's rookie/free-agent camp. He will play summer league ball for their entry in the Rocky Mountain *****.
Castleberry, a 6-foot-11, 245-pounder, was one of the Sixers' final preseason cuts last October.
Since then, he has added 10 pounds via lifting weights and worked on his all-around game while playing in the Ukraine, as well as for the CBA's Sioux Falls Skyforce and the USBL's Northeastern Pennsylvania Breakers.
“It was really tough, especially because I was so close to reaching my dream — and in my hometown,” said Castleberry, 25. “When I got released, I just knew there were things I needed to work on. I set off right away to start working on everything I think I needed to do. Now, it's just applying it and being a better player. I think I am.”
Castleberry is a blue-collar banger with a decent shooting touch. Head coach Maurice Cheeks has said he likes how hard Castleberry plays.
“It felt great that they thought I had enough ability to come back a second time,” Castleberry said. “It makes it a lot better to know the coach is behind you. I feel good that this might be my year.”
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Free agent Tayron Thomas tore his right lateral meniscus during Monday night's session. An MRI Tuesday confirmed the injury.
Thomas, a Bristol native who is the leading scorer in Philadelphia University history with 2,414 points, will undergo surgery soon.
