Samuel Dalembert has made it known more than once this season and throughout his career that he is not a role player, nor is he a guy who should play limited minutes.

So far this season Dalembert has found himself having to play inconsistent minutes and sometimes scratching his head wondering where he fits into the 76ers' offense.

"Last season everything clicked and worked for myself and this team. This season it has been a struggle. I haven't felt really comfortable at spots that made me successful last season," admitted Dalembert. "I feel good physically so I just need the ball more for things to start working. I am still the same player and still have the same skills so I don't know what the problem is."

With so much uncertainty and unhappiness, does Dalembert want to play somewhere other than Philadelphia, a team that drafted him and who he once declared the only city he wanted to play for?

"I love this team and city. I wouldn't see myself playing anywhere else. But I don't know about anyone else. We have a good nucleus on this team and it has been like that since I have been here. We just need to figure out what we want to do on both ends of the court."

For a player who a year ago was ecstatic about playing for the 76ers, what went wrong?

"Not getting the minutes you are used to. Not feeling like a part of the team's execution on offense. With a season that I thought would be big for me and this team, it has disappointed so far on how things have gone. From day one this season it has been tough to find a rhythm and playing the way we did last season."

Multiple issues can be looked at, but it is quite simple. Dalembert is averaging all career-lows (24.2mpg, 5.6ppg, 8.1rpg) and over the last four games has only played 15 minutes per contest. There are guys like veteran Theo Ratliffe and rookie Marresse Speights who are logging more minutes at the center position than Dalembert this season.

Maybe the writing was on the wall for Dalembert when it was reported a few times before the season started that then 76ers' head coach Maurice Cheeks had flirted with the idea of starting Speights over Dalembert. Dalembert shook off the rumors and speculation at the time, but this time around he seems to be serious about his feelings on his role on this team.

"It's not a secret I am not happy with the minutes, but I still love this team and the players we have assembled. Like I said we have a good nucleus with great coaches we just need to get things going. I haven't gotten in that rhythm to feel completely comfortable on the court. We need to get back to doing things that help this team be successful."

The rumor mill has had Dalembert on the move of late, but moving him is not as easy at it looks and because of the way the salary caps and rosters are assembled nowadays that task might be called impossible.  

It's called a trade kicker. If the 76ers do decide they wanted to move Dalembert, his contract states that a 15% jump will be taken into effect on the overall dollar amount. If a trade would come about, the team accepting Dalembert would have to pay the remaining $23 million on top of the kicker for the next two years left on his contract. For a guy who is averaging less than 25 minutes and playing inconsistent basketball that could be a huge risk.

On the other side, maybe a change of scenery is what Dalembert needs. A season ago the six-year pro averaged a double-double and was marked as one of the best defenders in the Eastern Conference. Dalembert's feelings might be changing, but for the 76ers, having him on this roster might be the smart move with so many games left to play this season. Perhaps he can still return to form and help the Sixers reach the postseason.