"Atlanta Hawks guard Mike Bibby probably won't be coming either, meaning that the Sixers could make Lou Williams the starting point guard.

A source close to the situation said there is nothing new in the talks between Miller, the Sixers' free agent point guard, and his agent, Andy Miller (no relation).

The source said the two sides are far apart, with the Sixers not willing to offer more than two years for much more than the mid-level exception, which was $5.6 million last season. Miller, 33, is reportedly seeking three or four years at close to his salary of $10 million last season.

Andy Miller didn't return a phone call.

The Sixers won't offer Miller that much money because that would put them in the luxury tax. They don't want to offer more than one or two years because they expect Jrue Holiday, the Sixers' first-round draft choice, to take over by then.

If Miller were to accept the Sixers' terms, it would be only after all of his other options are exhausted.

In that case, the source wonders if Miller would be happy to return or miserable that he couldn't find anything better. Would he help groom the Sixers' young guards in Williams and Holiday, or would he keep to himself, like he has in the past?

The Sixers seem like they are making plans to proceed without Miller.

The source said that Sixers president and general manager Ed Stefanski reached out to David Falk, the agent for Bibby, as a possible replacement. The Sixers, who are over the salary cap, can only offer a free agent the mid-level exception.

Bibby, who made just under $15 million last season, is reportedly hoping to make much more than that, so the chances are slim that he would come here.

The source said Stefanski also made an inquiry about Jason Kidd. But Kidd is reportedly close to re-signing with Dallas.

There were also rumors of a possible sign-and-trade deal between the Sixers and Portland, in which the Blazers would get Miller and the Sixers would get Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw. The source said that has "no legs."

Portland is going after free agent Hedo Turkoglu, and wouldn't have money left to sign Miller.

That would leave Williams as the probable starter at point guard for the Sixers. In that case, the Sixers would sign a veteran point guard as a backup.

Williams is entering his fifth season, but he has never started a game in his career, and he has spent just about all of it as a shooting guard. He has played the point on short bursts during a game while Miller was getting a rest."