Phil Jasner of the Philadelphia Daily News reports that the Sixers are finally ready to make some moves in the free agent market. The Sixers will announce, perhaps as soon as today the signing of Dallas free agent Greg Buckner and Magic free agent Monty Williams.

The deal with Buckner has been agreed upon for a while now, but the Sixers and Mavericks have been exploring sign and trade possibilities. It now looks as though a trade is unlikely. By trading for Buckner, the Sixers would still have their whole $4.5 million mid-class exception in tact to go after another free agent like Rodney Rogers or Keon Clark. Without the trade, Buckner will take $2.4 million of the exception, leaving only a little more than $2.1 million for another free agent.

Jasner reports that the Mavs were seeking a taker for Tariq Abdul-Wahad?s $33 million contract. The Sixers were willing to trade Matt Harpring, but Wahad?s contract would mean more Salary would have to be included from Philadelphia.

Willimas will sign as a minimum salary player, which means the Sixers will still have their $1.4 million exception available if they choose to use it. Orlando Magic GM John Gabriel will be sorry to see Williams go. "It's a steal," said Gabriel. "If we weren't faced with the luxury-tax situation, the way most teams are, he'd have a job with us forever.

"He's one of the best [as an influence] in the locker room; he's coming off his best year as a pro; he's one of the best smaller low-post players. He was always able to get to the basket, but now he's able to finish. He's not a very good shooter, but he's a pretty good scorer and able to defend against shooting guards, small forwards and some power forwards."

While not the ?big name? acquisitions the Sixer fans are waiting for, Buckner and Williams will increase the depth on the Philadelphia bench and improve the team defense.