We know Joe had tried to get him before, some of us are clamoring for a deal......ok internet friends, make it happen.

New York Post -
Allen Iverson went to team president Billy King this past Tuesday and demanded to be traded, according to two agents whose clients play for the 76ers.

GM Billy King is attempting to accomodate the request as quickly as possible, according to two general managers that spoke with the Sixers' boss.

"If you know your leader doesn't care, how are we supposed to play with the guy?" steamed a teammate to his agent.

According to the same agent, Iverson reportedly told King he lies Maurice Cheeks as a person "but not as a coach."

Mark Kizla of the Denver Post reports that a source informed him that the Nuggets are interested in Iverson.

I don't think we can get AI without completely ruining the team... if there's a big man out there that's available I'm all for it... but we'd be even smaller with Iverson.

I love the way the guy plays, I just don't see how we can do it without changing around this team completely.

If we had re-signed Ben it might have been possible, but I agree with Mo, we just don't have the pieces/salaries anymore.

No Iverson please. Not going to break up CB and RIP for AI[smilie=bigshot.gif]

Why would AI like Flip?

Seems like AI is rumored to want out or Mgmt is sending out feelers on him every year. This looks a little different... like it might happen.

It would be nice if the Nuggets took his ass...then Chauncey wouldnt be so tempted to bolt there after seasons end.

I'll pass on AI thanks. Who is Denver going to trade them, Nene or Kmart?

Nene, Smith and Najera for AI and Alan Henderson?

This might be crazy but...


Minnesota Timberwolves
Incoming Players
Kyle Korver
Salary: $4,018,182 Years Remaining: 4
PTS: 13.3 REB: 3.5 AST: 1.1 PER: 14.90

Allen Iverson
Salary: $17,184,375 Years Remaining: 3
PTS: 31.2 REB: 2.7 AST: 7.3 PER: 24.00

Andre Iguodala
Salary: $2,201,640 Years Remaining: 2
PTS: 13.6 REB: 6.3 AST: 4.4 PER: 15.61

Outgoing Players: Troy Hudson, Kevin Garnett

Philadelphia 76ers
Incoming Players

Troy Hudson
Salary: $5,603,000 Years Remaining: 4
PTS: 6.5 REB: 1.4 AST: 1.6 PER: 11.68

Kevin Garnett
Salary: $21,000,000 Years Remaining: 3
PTS: 21.3 REB: 11.9 AST: 3.6 PER: 26.12

Outgoing Players: Kyle Korver, Allen Iverson, Andre Iguodala

There is no doubt that KG is more valuable than AI, but if you throw in Iggy & Korver and maybe a draft pick, and allow Minny to include Hudson's bad contract, it evens out a bit.

??? why glenn?

why would those two teams make lateral moves like that?

im guessing chicago gets him.

gordon, their 1st, and pj brown. take it or leave it, try and find someone to top it, but we'll just go get garnett if you decline... thats the thing, this is a really shitty time to demand a trade. especially someone like iverson, who's got a contract similar to garnett's. no one is going to spend on iverson when they really want a garnett.

i really hope denver doesnt do something stupid like trade for iverson and ruin carmello's fantasy basketball mvp season.

Nazr and Rip for AI.

Right now ESPN is making it out to be AI to the TWolves and Garnett is not involved. Possibility of a third team. That would be interesting.

franchise player for franchise player never happens. especially when it literally is two franchise players. think about it, both have been the face of their respective franchises, why would they swap? just cuz? AI going to minny would mean garnett stays in minny, and i think that team might be pretty sweet. though i thought sixers would be sweet when they got webber (they mightve been, but webber declined uber fast).

Seems like the Nuggets might make an offer involving ANDRE MILLER, who is playing great as of late.

KG going to the Sixers would probably be the most stupidest thing for the franchise

I think if he goes to the Wolves, Mike James would be on his way out, and that can't happen until December 15. So now who's taking James and the others and who's going to Philly? Who needs a PG (besides us)?

AI and Garnett on the same team!?
Whooaaaa mama!

he isnt a sixer anymore, and he'll be on his new team real soon. where does he end up?

i voted the bulls.

everyone knows the only guy in the league that stops AI is ben wallace. ben is the perfect big man to pair with AI, and in fact, tha whole team would fit him nicely.

i was going to do the same thing for webber, but i'll hold off.

anyone thing webber might be leaving soon, too? it depends on what they get for iverson, but should they want to rebuild (and tank), webber might be more of a liability than an assett. trade webber? probably not. buy out webber? even more unlikely, but what if? webber lives in grosse pointe, should he get bought out, i'd bet anything he'd go to the pistons.

That Greg Taylor guy flat out said that the money doesn't work and they won't be trading for AI.

lol at KG. man up an demand a trade dammit.

Extreme sidenote here, but ESPN is comparing AI's stats against "other top NBA point guards" and no sign of Chauncey. Damn the man and boycott!

??? why glenn?

why would those two teams make lateral moves like that?


I posted that before I saw any legit rumor that had AI going to Minny. Now if Minny can get AI AND keep KG then of course, they should.

I still think that KG for AI package makes sense for both sides, though.

Philly: AI's trade demand going public has you backed in a corner, you probably won't get equal value in return for him, unless you get KG. A KG, Webber, Dalembert frontcourt is intriguing as hell. Willie Green showed while AI was out a few weeks back that he can score, and AI's departure gets him the PT that he is ready for.

Minny: They have three objectives in any KG deal.
1. Get a marquee calibre ticket seller in return
2. Restock the team with young talent/picks.
3. Pawn off a bad contract or two with KG (Hudson).

Makes sense to me at least.

AI wouldnt be any happier with that minny team than he is with his philly squad.

to use a metaphor, ai's biological clock is ticking, and he's tired of whoring around with losers. AI needs a real man in his life.

That's going to be the problem in any case.

Because of his salary, and team that he goes to is going to have to give up significant pieces.

It's not like he's getting cut and signing on for the vet's minimum to gravy train a ring.

A few quick possibilities (they work on ESPN's trade checker).

Destination: Charlotte
Compensation: Gerald Wallace (1 yr/$5.5 mill), Sean May (2 yrs/$1.7 mill), and Brevin Knight (2 yrs/$4.4 mil). 2008 1st rounder (no protection)
Why?: Sixers get young talent (Wallace and May) and short contracts. Bobcats get AI without giving up Okafor, Felton or Morrison.

Destination: Boston
Compensation: Wally (3 yrs/$11.8 mill), Gerald Green (2 yrs/$1.3 mill), Rajon Rondo (2 yrs/$1.1 mill), 2008 1st rounder (top 10 protected?) (or 2009 1st rounder w/ no protection).
Why?: Philly again gets good young talent (Green and Rondo) and future 1st, but takes on Wally's deal. Celts give Pierce a sidekick.

Destination: Chicago
Compensation: Ben Gordon (2 yrs/$3.8 mill), Kirk Hinrich (6 yrs/don't know his new deal), P.J Brown (1 yr/$8.5 mill), 2008 1st rounder.
Why?: Bulls finally get the go-to scorer they need. Philly gets a couple nice young guys (Gordon and Hinrich) and some cap space and a future 1st.

Boston.

Boston has a perfect package for the Sixers for their rebuild mode.

While the Bulls package is also young, The Celtics team would be more appealing

AI wouldnt be any happier with that minny team than he is with his philly squad.

to use a metaphor, ai's biological clock is ticking, and he's tired of whoring around with losers. AI needs a real man in his life.

word diddy word

i voted the bulls.

everyone knows the only guy in the league that stops AI is ben wallace. ben is the perfect big man to pair with AI, and in fact, tha whole team would fit him nicely.

A package of Gordon,hinrich and Brown and some picks for Iverson was mentioned in the other AI thread.

If this was to be the the trade, the Bulls are FUCKED. However, lets say the trade is Gordon, Tyrus Thomas, DEng, and the draft pick.

See any similarity?

The Bulls are fucked at the 4 spot. If Brown was to be traded, Tryus Thomas is to start. Can the Bulls even risk starting Tyrus Thomas, especially if they are contending.

If Thomas is traded, the future for the 4 spot for the Bulls is now over. Obviously PJ hasnt done shit this year.

BTW Diddy

From chicagosports.com


It's likely the 76ers will try to trade Iverson to the Western Conference. Denver has been mentioned, and coach George Karl often has lobbied for troubled competitors. They have several young big men and at times have tried to deal guard Andre Miller.

Another possibility is Memphis, a desperate team looking for a rebound in a community where Iverson has been celebrated. The Grizzlies have a talented Villanova rookie in Kyle Lowry and an expiring contract in Temple's Eddie Jones, which could save the 76ers millions of dollars.

The Bulls are said to have no interest in Iverson.

Then there's a deal with the Timberwolves, which could break the Bulls' hearts.

One would seem to make sense. Minnesota has Randy Foye, a talented Villanova rookie whom the 76ers have coveted, and it has numerous expendable contracts that could be used to match Iverson's $17 million salary.

It also has free-agent point guard Mike James, who becomes eligible to be traded next week.

I win.

nocioni can play the 4. or they can trade for one. the bulls have assetts to burn right now. way more than the celtics.

i would be perfectly fine with the 4 manned by noc, thomas, and sweetney (he's still around). and if the bulls have no interest in iverson, theyre stupid.

nocioni can play the 4. or they can trade for one. the bulls have assetts to burn right now. way more than the celtics.

i would be perfectly fine with the 4 manned by noc, thomas, and sweetney (he's still around). and if the bulls have no interest in iverson, theyre stupid.


Wouldnt a package of Theo Ratliff(contract is almost done), Al Jefferson OR Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, and Rajon Rando for Iverson look better than Ben Gordon, Pj Brown and Hinrich?

Boston has alot more potential and you know the Sixers wont be contending this year or even the next. This is where Ratliff's contract comes in. Its done in 2 years when they can sign some players to help them contend.

Gordon, Hinrich are the players who can make a difference to their team...too bad the Sixers will be a borderline playoff team with those players

i'm thinking boston. but i wouldn't be surprised if a team other than all the ones being mentioned, actually steps up and steals him away first.

he is easily one of the best players of alltime and probably one of the top 10 of the last 15 years or so.

he's still got plenty in the tank IMO and i only wish we had been lucky enough to get him back in 2006. we don't have the ammo to get him now but he's better than anybody who has played for us in over a decade.

When does Webber's contract expire?

If it's in 2 seasons then the Theo Ratliff deal makes sense, since the Sixers would have 2 huge contracts coming off the books at the same time.

Hinrich is not gonna be involved in a trade. The Poison Pill Provision makes it damn near impossible to trade the guy.

When does Webber's contract expire?

If it's in 2 seasons then the Theo Ratliff deal makes sense, since the Sixers would have 2 huge contracts coming off the books at the same time.

WEbber's is over in 2 as well

Then there you go.

Philly should take Ratliff, a pick and whatever young talent they can get off Ainge for AI.

i'm thinking boston. but i wouldn't be surprised if a team other than all the ones being mentioned, actually steps up and steals him away first.

he is easily one of the best players of alltime and probably one of the top 10 of the last 15 years or so.

he's still got plenty in the tank IMO and i only wish we had been lucky enough to get him back in 2006. we don't have the ammo to get him now but he's better than anybody who has played for us in over a decade.

yep, if it were only good ol' 2006. we'd have te world in the palm of our hands.

just a question, why have the Clippers up there but not the Mavericks? Yahoo said that the Mavs and Celts were the leaders to get Iverson.

I honestly dont know what the Mavs could offer considering the fact they signed Jason Terry.

The article said that Billy King was interested in Devin harris, which makes a ton of sense but not much outside of that. Some expiring contracts wont do either...


Dallas Morning News -
Allen Iverson is not in the Mavericks' future, Mark Cuban has announced to reporters.

"We can knock that rumor down right now," owner Mark Cuban said Saturday night

eh...

sounds like no one wants him, right? bs. especially on 'i will never talk about the nba again' cuban. these guys are so savvy, pretending not to be interested.

plus they just extended him and he's the team's captain (and possibly the best guy in the league at stopping wade).

im wondering how much value that knick pick is worth. no team is giving up an unprotected first for the 07 draft, so chicago imo really has the rest of the league trumped.

LOL- i obviously meant 2000, not 2006.

I would guess that other is the best option the teams I think...

Miami makes some sense because they have expiring deals and would like to have cap flexibility in a year or two, but right now they need a shot in the arm. AI for Posey, Williams and Picks allows both teams to get better.

Memphis makes sense they could give up Jones with a bad contract like Cardinal's and end up being better off. While Philly would have Jones to flip at the deadline to use with Webber to get out of a worse deal and free up more flexibility.

NY York has the ability to take on both bad deals Webber and AI and have the young talent to make Philly happy while taking on Starbury or Francis. Although I think NY is unlikely because they aren't a better place for AI and are a divison foe which makes a deal even less likely.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2693389

good article on possible destinations

The Bobcats are looking as well.

If you could overlay the teams with the highest payrolls and the lowest attendance I think it would yield a solid list of suitors.

AI will sell tickets, merchandise and sponsorships.

I can see Atlanta.

I can see Atlanta.


I presume AI wants out with the intent of going to a contender. That may be a good deal for the 6ers, but I suppose he might cause trouble.

As I mentioned in the other thread, how many teams are still going to be "contenders" after they give up the salaries necessary to take AI on?

Any team with better complementary pieces left over than Philly has right now should make AI happy.

I'm not so sure that going to a new team with another superstar will work at all (and keep him happy). He just dominates the ball so much.

Look how good CWebb looks now without AI playing.

The Bobcats are looking as well.

I just randomly put them in a proposal list in the other thread because they looked like a great fit. I'd like to see this one happen. I think I suggested something like Iverson for Gerald Wallace, Sean May, Brevin Knight and either a protected 2007 1st or unprotected 2008 1st.

Maybe the Pistons could jump in on that and somehow nab Gerald Wallace. Dream come true for me.

ESPN reported this morning that the Sixers are debating "several 3-way (teams) trade scenarios" today.

Chicago would be stupid to go after AI. Why would they trade a young Gordon or Hinrich or Deng for him? Bad move. Yeah, Ben is going to hose their cap down the road, but they still have a chance to do some real damage if their other bigs play well.

Miami would be stupid to get AI. How can AI and Wade possibly co-exist? How can the NBA possibly televise that game? It would be non stop driving the lane, falling down and going to the free throw line.


I'd like to see NY trade a big man for AI. That way they can have Franchise, Starbury, AI and Crawford at the same time. Might as well trade for Fatione and make an entire chucker lineup.

I'm going to rescind my Atlanta comment. While they have the young players that Philly would want, they don't have the salaries or the draft picks (PHX has theirs).

What about sending AI to Indy in a package w/Dalembert for Jermaine O'Neal & SJax?

I just randomly put them in a proposal list in the other thread because they looked like a great fit. I'd like to see this one happen. I think I suggested something like Iverson for Gerald Wallace, Sean May, Brevin Knight and either a protected 2007 1st or unprotected 2008 1st.

If AI ends up in Charlotte, it's going to be fun to watch how quickly the "LB to the Bobcats" stuff starts heating up.

speaking of, i overheard someone at work (dont know him at all, but he claimed he had a connection to AI) who said one of the deals on the table involves okeafor heading to chicago, and chicago giving up duhon and gordon.

dont shoot the messanger, just passing on a little harlmess gossip.

In today's Sacramento Bee an article talks about the Kings and Bibby now being involved.

glenn- i don't think indy would be lucky enough for that to happen. stephen jackson is a punk and he's in trouble there now. and o'neal is always hurt.

the sixers would be taking a HUGE risk by making a move like that IMO. and it would mean o'neal and webber would have to somehow share the ball in the post.

it's an idea but i personally think it's a bad one for philly.

if indy had any brains they would jump ALL over that one. i know i would if i were them. but i don't even know if it's a realistic scenario...

I merged the two Iverson threads, FWIW

:sas: was just on ESPN Radio and he thinks a deal could happen today.

He ranks the front runners as:
1. GSW (says that one of Baron, Murphy, Dunleavy or JRich would HAVE to be included, as well Monta Ellis)
2. Boston (Al Jefferson, for sure)
3. Sacramento (Bibby)

Bucher is scheduled to be on ESPN Radio after 9 am and they are teasing his appearance by saying "Bucher is reporting that it will happen today".


EDIT- Bucher now scheduled for 9:50 am

Boston has to be the team IMO.

A ton of young guys, Theo Ratliff's massive deal and guards galore to trade.

If Bucher does in fact have the scoop, I wouldn't rule out Indiana.

He and Prick are best buds.

Bucher is on right now. They completely overhyped him, he's not no clue, no timeline, basically, no insight whatsoever. He's just guessing about scenarios.

His best guess is Sacramento.

EDIT- He did say that he thinks you can rule out Chicago because Skiles won't want any part of AI.

from scout

- Philly nixed a deal with the Bobcats because AI didn't want to go there. The Bobcats were not offering up any of their young talent according to Bickerstaff.

- Golden State is the frontrunner. One rumor has the offer being Baron Davis + young players. Another has GS pairing AI with Davis in the backcourt.

- One rumor is AI for Livingston/Maggette, which the Sixers actually approached this past summer. But word is Livingston is said to be untouchable.

- Sixers covet Jefferson, West and have expressed interest in Gomes from the Celtics. But Boston is reluctant to trade Jefferson and might not even include West but instead throwing in a draft choice.

- Indiana is offering Tinsley and Stephen Jackson (yuck)

- Sixers want Foye and have interest in Ricky Davis because of his short contract. But do not want any of the Wolves' bad contracts.

- Kings are discussing a package of Bibby and Kenny Thomas

Philly nixed a deal with the Bobcats because AI didn't want to go there.

I've heard several "experts" that are claiming that since AI made a trade request, that he really has no say where he gets traded at all.

Of course, he could make himself a problem (bigger than he already is) but if what I've heard is accurate, then he doesn't have much/any say in the matter at all.

I don't think he does either. King can simply say they did the best they could, and that they didn't want to trade him but AI forced their hand. AI will simply look like any other FA that demands out and goes to a worse situation.

And that could lead to huge problems for that team too, as you said. Imagine AI in Atlanta playing in front of high school sized crowds.

Actually, I've been thinking that AI might be just the ticket to revive that Atlanta franchise. He'd be a huge draw there.

Unfortunately, they don't have the big contracts to get it done.

Actually, I've been thinking that AI might be just the ticket to revive that Atlanta franchise. He'd be a huge draw there.

Unfortunately, they don't have the big contracts to get it done.

What about Lue, Childress and Marvin Williams?

If this was later in the year (when Wright or Claxton could be traded), this would be easier.

Atlanta doesn't have picks to add though (PHX).

Charlotte can still be a player, even if they don't want to give up their young core (as they have stated they won't). Because of the cap room that they have, they could give up Brevin Knight, Gerald Wallace and a pick or two and the deal would still work financially.

you don't think that williams and childress is enough to get AI? they have other young talent too...saleem maybe. AI isn't going to fetch an MVP canidate. Philly's best bet is to get as much young talent as they can.

I forgot that Atlanta is under the cap as well.

I suppose that Williams, Childress & Lue might work, but not getting any expiring deals or 1st round picks in return would be a big blow to the Sixers, IMO.

p.s. Atlanta looks like the are about $4m under the cap and Charlotte is about $13m. They are the only two teams that are under. Charlotte is having $ problems, at least they were about six months ago, and Atlanta has that whole ownership change fiasco going on too.

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/basketball/nba/charlotte_bobcats/16222611.htm


“No. That’s the biggest crap I’ve ever seen,’’ Bickerstaff said of a report that Iverson killed a deal by saying he wouldn’t play for the Bobcats.

I forgot that Atlanta is under the cap as well.

I suppose that Williams, Childress & Lue might work, but not getting any expiring deals or 1st round picks in return would be a big blow to the Sixers, IMO.

p.s. Atlanta looks like the are about $4m under the cap and Charlotte is about $13m. They are the only two teams that are under. Charlotte is having $ problems, at least they were about six months ago, and Atlanta has that whole ownership change fiasco going on too.

Why would they want expiring deals? If it's a team over the cap that has to match AI's salary, yes. If they only take back 13 mil in salaries (like my senario with Atlanta), then why would they want expirings thrown in?

Yes, Philly would want picks, but Williams and Childress are young talented players too. Is it enough? I don't know. But the teams offering 1st rounders aren't going to be lotto picks IMO. It will be teams like Denver, Dallas, Minny (would make playoffs with AI added IMO), Boston (same as Minny). So would Philly rather have a mid first rounder or young talent?

They would want the expiring because that team need a total rebuild, and Cwebb's deal is a couple years from over. Bert still has some value and could be peddled, that should get them under the cap.

They really need to restock, and those expirings can be flipped later this year (maybe at the trade deadline) for more young talent.

I'll say one thing, if they don't get a "name" player in return for AI, that building is going to be empty.

I don't know how long Ed Snyder is going to allow that to happen (especially if the team is up for sale), so if they strike out getting a star in return for AI, at least if they get expiring deals they can try again using those.

A pending sale is another reason they would want expiring deals, the less long term $ on the books, the better.

They would want the expiring because that team need a total rebuild, and Cwebb's deal is a couple years from over. Bert still has some value and could be peddled, that should get them under the cap.

Not from a team under the cap. AI = 17 mil. If they take 13 mil back in salary they essentially got an expiring deal of 4 mil and cut the player. Expirings are thrown in as fillers to balence the trade. It's not needed with Atlanta or Charlotte.

But they don't need to be under now, they need to be under in 1-2 years. Might as well have a player now to show some substance.

But they don't need to be under now, they need to be under in 1-2 years. Might as well have a player now to show some substance.

not when their roster is already maxed out. If they take more players in than out, they are already going to be cutting players. Why take an expiring deal, cut another person, and pay that expiring deal the rest of the year. what's the point unless that player will be in your rotation? And I'm guessing that since they'll get 2 or 3 good players for AI, plus AI2, Korver, Dalm, Green and Webber are all there...they probably won't even use the expiring deal player.

Well, if I'm Philly, I do it because I'm trading away one of the most popular players in the league, and the answer "well, we got rid of AI, but let us tell you about the money we saved" may no be PR acceptable.

It makes perfect sense from a business/basketball standpoint to jsut take the space now, but as Glenn said, large expirings do have value, and it gives you a chance to try something else out. 6ers have a bit of trash on their 15 man, wouldn't kill them to dump 1-3 guys.

If anyone finds a betting line for which team will acquire AI let me know and I'll add it to the vBookie contest.

Got it: http://wtfdetroit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7829

How about sheed, nazr, and dale davis for AI and kyle korver. Then, we can finally satisfy both filps. saunders coaching philosophy (think of all the jump shots, lack of defense, and lack of rebounding) will finally get to show its true genious. Plus we can finally satisfy flip murray with the starting power forward spot. Korver could be the first big man off the bench. (Maxiell of course would remain third string).

pg billups/ai/hunter
sg ai/rip/hunter
sf rip/delfino/murray
pf murray/korver/maxiell
c prince/korver/maxiell

For the sixers, webber can move over to his natural immobile point guard slot.

What do you guys think?

1) do to complete missmanagement, philly is fucked fiscally for a while. theyve been shelling out huge deals to avg players for a long time now, so its not like theyr going to dig themselves into cap room anytime soon, i believe.

2) am i missing something or is everyone overlooking that philly would get a trade exception if they delt with charlotte?

3) i dont get chicago. if theyre not going after iverson because coach doesnt want him, then its time for coach to go. bring in iverson, boot skiles, and let larry win another ring. if they dont want to give up the knick pick (isnt that the most coveted assett in the league right now?), then they need to get their head out of their ass. iverson + that chicago team would tear through the east and would have a great chance at a ring. if theyre holding out for garnett or pierce, thats just stupid. imo, of the three, iverson would be the best fit, and better, you know you can get him (and for cheap too). if their plan really is to hold out for garnett, they will get burned.

btw, i think marc stein fell on his head, or something.

first he wrote an article saying the sixers should stretch this thing out, and follow the pacer model (huh? i thought that was a catastrophe. why would a team ant to copy that?).

and now he's written an article about how iverson has no trade clause and shouldnt beable to veto trades. as if a team that would be agreeing to give AI 40 million after this year wouldnt be at all concerned about his state of mind. boooooh stein.

saunders coaching philosophy (think of all the jump shots, lack of defense, and lack of rebounding) will finally get to show its true genious.
http://media.urbandictionary.com/image/large/lmao-16921.jpg

Here's my trade idea:

Philly trades: Allen Iverson, Alan Henderson, Louis Williams
Philly gets: Desmond Mason, Mike James, Eddie Griffin, Randy Foye, conditional 2007 first round pick from Detroit (worst of their own or Orlando's)

Why: Philly gets everything they can realistically expect. Expiring deal (Mason), prospect (Foye) and this year's first rounder.

Minnesota trades: Ricky Davis, Mike James, Eddie Griffin, Randy Foye, Philly's 2nd rounder
Minnesota gets: Allen Iverson, Alan Henderson

Why: KG is the perfect star to pair with Iverson. Plus the other starters (Jaric, Hassell, and Blount) are good complementary players. I don't know why the T-Wolves aren't doing everything to get Iverson.

New Orleans trades: Desmond Mason, Jannero Pargo
New Orleans gets: Ricky Davis, Louis Williams

Why: They acquire a better wing scorer. This actually makes the least sense for New Orleans of the 4 teams, I think. They might need an additional 2nd rounder to sweeten the deal.

Detroit trades: Conditional first rounder (worst of their own or Orlando's)
Detroit gets: Jannero Pargo, Philly 2nd rounder (via Minnesota)

Why: Pistons get a backup PG, and Philly's 2nd rounder won't be much lower than the 1st rounder they traded away (with no guaranteed money). And this trade works under the cap due to the Evans trade exception.

Pargo's a black hole, I don't want him here.

Pargo's a black hole, I don't want him here.

No worries. Joe hasn't had his best year as a GM, what with Darko gone, Ben gone, and Nazr as our starter, but he'd never make a deal like that. It just can't happen.

Bucher is now saying that Indiana is the front runner (shocking, coming from him). Also apparently Sacramento says they are out of the AI derby.

Bucher is now saying that Indiana is the front runner (shocking, coming from him). Also apparently Sacramento says they are out of the AI derby.

Yep Sac is out.

I cant imagine having the Pacers sending them something that'll be better than Bostons.

Granger and Jerms and Tins for Sammy D and Allen Iverson would be the best trade

The deal I heard with Indy seems really bad for Indy unless their is third team missing from the trade.

AI for Sjax, Tinsley and Daniels. That kills the depth of the team and makes them a lot easier to defend. I don't see how AI makes a .500 team that much better. He needs the ball too much, he doesn't spread the wealth so he doesn't make guys better. The only positive is JO would no longer be the prime scapegoat for his lack of leadership and less than stellar production when games matter.

Word is

Baron Davis Biedrins and a 3rd player for Iverson and Steven Hunter.

If Mullin does that, Hes a retard

I dunno i've said for years that SJax and Tinsley are their two problem players, causing the same problems year after year, if Indiana can get rid of both of those dopes and get AI, it's kinda good for them.

The deal I heard with Indy seems really bad for Indy unless their is third team missing from the trade.

AI for Sjax, Tinsley and Daniels. That kills the depth of the team and makes them a lot easier to defend. I don't see how AI makes a .500 team that much better. He needs the ball too much, he doesn't spread the wealth so he doesn't make guys better. The only positive is JO would no longer be the prime scapegoat for his lack of leadership and less than stellar production when games matter.
Wow, I don't agree with this at all.

Iverson scores more than all three of those guys combined and at pretty much the same e% as all three of them combined (actually a better ordinary % than each of them). Iverson dishes out a full asist more per game than Tinsley (7.3 vs 6.3), slashes better than Daniels, and even his poor shot choices are better than Jackson's poor shot choices.

The Pacers' largest problem is their backcourt which is why they've run 5 guys at point so far this year. This effectively solves that problem in one player. Not to mention that the Pacers don't give up their 2 best players (J.O. and Harrington) or their best young player (Granger) or even their best project (Williams).

The Pacers' would flip if Philly made this deal with them, but thankfully if Philly makes a deal with them at all it wouln't be this one. No way Philly trades AI for a troublemaker with almost no trade value, a guy who's injured half of every season and is questionable as the "starting" point guard every season, and Marquis Daniels.


I dunno i've said for years that SJax and Tinsley are their two problem players, causing the same problems year after year, if Indiana can get rid of both of those dopes and get AI, it's kinda good for them.
It would be legitimately comparable to the Sheed trade.

At this point I wouldn't be surprised if they wait until 12/15/06 when all of the the offseason signings become tradeable.

At this point I wouldn't be surprised if they wait until 12/15/06 when all of the the offseason signings become tradeable.

i thought about that the other day when I was making an atlanta trade senario. it would be a lot easier for them if teams could move their MLE guys from this year as filler.

The deal I heard with Indy seems really bad for Indy unless their is third team missing from the trade.

AI for Sjax, Tinsley and Daniels. That kills the depth of the team and makes them a lot easier to defend. I don't see how AI makes a .500 team that much better. He needs the ball too much, he doesn't spread the wealth so he doesn't make guys better. The only positive is JO would no longer be the prime scapegoat for his lack of leadership and less than stellar production when games matter.
If I'm Larry Bird, I do that trade in a heartbeat. Getting rid of Sjax and Tinsley is addition by subtraction, and I'll take AI over Daniels, thankyouverymuch.

The deal I heard with Indy seems really bad for Indy unless their is third team missing from the trade.

AI for Sjax, Tinsley and Daniels. That kills the depth of the team and makes them a lot easier to defend. I don't see how AI makes a .500 team that much better. He needs the ball too much, he doesn't spread the wealth so he doesn't make guys better. The only positive is JO would no longer be the prime scapegoat for his lack of leadership and less than stellar production when games matter.

is JS a closet pacer homer? wtf?

indy would flat out rob philly in that trade. and yea, ai makes a 500 team that much better. he's kept a pretty crappy 76 team afloat for years now.

im also surprised there was talk of trading him before 12-15. he should have waited a week, unless he's enjoying his time off.

rip & sheed for iverson and dalembert. :)

is JS a closet pacer homer? wtf?

indy would flat out rob philly in that trade. and yea, ai makes a 500 team that much better. he's kept a pretty crappy 76 team afloat for years now.

im also surprised there was talk of trading him before 12-15. he should have waited a week, unless he's enjoying his time off.

Not a closet Pacer fan but I try to look at all things objectively. My point was this AI is a HOF player, no question but he also makes a ton of money equal to 3 legit NBA player, it also takes away two depth players . Indy sells out nearly all their home games therefore AI isn't putting more butts in the seats, so it must be viewed a pure basketball decision. I am not a fan of the make up of the Pacers roster it is too injury prone, taking away 2 depth player hurts the Pacers ability to overcome injuries. I think a deal that gets rid of Tinsley is a good one idea, or a trade that gets rid of all three individually but a three for 1 isn't good in today's NBA. The Pacer's problem is injuries and coaching for the most part. If they want to get better trade Tins and JO with a pick for Daly and AI. Then trade SJax to Cha for Knight. I think that giving AI depth helps his cause more than JO.

From a short term 2-3 year Franchise perspective it is a lot different from the Sheed trade. The Sheed trade involved expiring deals and Atkins if the Pistons regretted the trade they had a lot of cap room at the end of the year, and it only cost them low first rounders and Chucky. So the Pistons could have made a splash in FA. Plus the reality of the Sheed trade was everyone felt Detroit was a player away and it didn't hurt the core to trade away the guys they did. I don't think Indy is that close by getting AI. Which means they would need to look to 07 and 08 FA to improve, but all they would have are trades and the MLE. Indy is a very small market compared to Detroit and Indy ownership is growing flustered with paying lux tax while the team doesn't get better, so it's not like Walsh/Bird have the Knick's deep pockets to keep trying.

http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/columnists/Stein_Marc_55.jpg


Nuggets, Wolves and C's still in running for Iverson

By Marc Stein
ESPN.com

It might not seem like it, as we approach the completion of Week 1 on the Allen Iverson Watch.

But there is a race going on here.

It might not be a fast race, true, but it does sound as though Denver, Minnesota and Boston are all jockeying to come up with the large expiring contract that can clinch victory in the Iverson Sweepstakes.

"If one of those three teams had a last-year guy like P.J. Brown or a Jerry Stackhouse or a Jamaal Magloire [to send to the Sixers], I think the deal would be done," said one Western Conference executive.

I've also been warned not to ignore the gate-crashers from Miami. So …

With that in mind – and with our continuing caution/belief that the offers can only get better if Philly shows some patience, to allow some of the desperation to shift from the Sixers to others – here's a helping of the latest Iverson dish as of lunchtime Thursday:

DENVER NUGGETS
They're the front-runners for a few reasons.

1. They've got two first-round picks in June to offer, potentially giving Philly three firsts in a draft that already has scouts salivating.

2. They've got a small handful of contracts that expire either this season or next season to coincide with Chris Webber's deal playing out in '07-08.

3. They're in the West, which is obviously where Philly would prefer to send A.I.

The main obstacles: Denver, according to NBA front-office sources, is determined not to include Marcus Camby in any deal and also remains very reluctant to part with summer steal J.R. Smith.

A reversal on Smith would certainly enhance the Nuggets' chances. But the bigger variable is whether the Nuggets and/or Sixers can find a third team to take on Nene's new $60 million deal, after the Brazilian missed all but one game last season with a knee ligament tear. The Sixers, as you can imagine, absolutely will not absorb that contract.

Portland – with Magloire's expiring contract going to Philly for Nene – has been mentioned as that third team, but sources say the Blazers have cooled considerably on joining in … if they were ever really open to it. We'll see if that's a permanent stance or if the Blazers are simply holding out for more from the deal. Like a first-round pick and a young asset (like Smith) to keep for themselves.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
You still hear executives around the league mention the Wolves first or second in spite of their well-chronicled lack of first-round picks to offer for the rest of this decade.

But that shouldn't surprise you. Not with Iverson wanting to team with Kevin Garnett, KG wanting it even more and Villanova alumnus Randy Foye – who we've said from the start is the player Philly likes most in this whole process – potentially headlining the package that comes to the Sixers.

The Wolves' issues haven't changed. They don't have that first-round pick to throw in and can't complete a straight swap with Philly unless the Sixers are suddenly willing to take one of the longer Minnesota contracts (Marko Jaric, Troy Hudson, Mark Blount, Mike James) they've consistently refused.

Can the Wolves find a third team – like Charlotte – to absorb one of those four and route an expiring contract back to the Sixers?

Would the Wolves, if there is no third team, be willing to throw in their other promising rookie (Craig Smith) with Foye – and, say, a $3 million sweetener – to compensate for their lack of first-rounders?

I certainly would if I were in Kevin McHale's place.

BOSTON CELTICS
Couldn't agree more with what my NBA Shootaround colleague Jackie MacMullan wrote in Thursday's Boston Globe. Even if Danny Ainge publicly brands the Celtics' chances as "slim," they will stay in the race – at some level – until the finish.

Boston, you see, is the race participant best equipped to deal directly with Philly if a three- or four-team deal can't be struck with the Bobcats (sorry, I don't believe their current regime will ever spend or do anything proactive) or anyone else.

The Sixers, on top of their reluctance to send Iverson to a longtime (and hated) divisional rival, don't want Theo Ratliff's contract because it doesn't expire at season's end.

The Celtics, meanwhile, are prepared to send Philly a first-round pick with a good youngster or two but have indicated that they won't part with Al Jefferson and/or Gerald Green.

But who's to say one side won't cave? Who knows how much desperation either side (or both) might feel if this drags on another week.

Ratliff's deal ($11.7 million this season and next) does expire in June 2008, same as Webber's. So it's not a full-on financial nightmare for Philly to absorb.

Then there's the under-pressure Ainge in Boston. Given the obvious odds against finding a third team to take on Ratliff, can anyone say with certainty that the Celts won't relent and give up Jefferson or Green?

MIAMI HEAT
Do not discount the Heat. I've been convinced.

At first glance, it would appear that Pat Riley doesn't have much to offer. But as a longtime Riley watcher reminded me Thursday, that's how it looked when Shaquille O'Neal popped onto the market. And then Miami got Shaq for far less than expected. No matter what you think of Riles, he gets deals done.

Besides …

I'm not sure that the Heat are so far away. James Posey has a nice-sized expiring contract ($6.4 million). Dorell Wright and/or Wayne Simien fit the Sixers' youth requirement. If Philly were willing to take back Jason Williams' contract (which expires when Webber's does), cash and a future first, this could be a match.

Udonis Haslem's name is out there, too, but that's too much. Right, Pat? Haslem is too valuable to part with, given where Shaq and Alonzo Mourning are in their careers.

If such a trade nudged Miami into luxury-tax territory, furthermore, Iverson becomes an $80 million gamble as opposed to a $40 million risk in the two seasons after this one.

But I repeat: Don't write the Heat off. I personally struggle to imagine Iverson and Dwyane Wade in the same backcourt – as with A.I. and Kobe Bryant – but I'm not in great position to question Riley's wisdom after what happened last May and June.

THE FIELD
• The Indiana Pacers are still being mentioned because they've shown real interest and because Iverson has reportedly indicated a willingness to play for them. But it's tough to imagine Philly embracing a package featuring Jamaal Tinsley, Marquis Daniels and Stephen Jackson, no matter how good the attached picks are. I'm also not quite sure why the Pacers, as much as I trust in Donnie Walsh, would be ready to gamble on an Iverson-Jermaine O'Neal combo while they're still struggling to recover from those years on the Ron Artest roller coaster.

• The Los Angeles Lakers, like Miami, can't be discounted, either. Not after Phil Jackson publicly stated their interest. (Click here for the Wednesday night views of Phil and Kobe Bryant on the matter.) But the Lakers need a third team to complete a deal even more than Miami, since their promising youngster (Andrew Bynum) and most movable contracts (Kwame Brown and Chris Mihm) all come from the same position. Giving up size just became more problematic with Lamar Odom looking at a month or more of injury rehab after suffering a knee sprain.

• Also on the Left Coast: Sacramento and Golden State, as covered in Tuesday's opus about no-trade clauses, were informed recently that Iverson doesn't want to play in Northern California any more than he wants to play in North Carolina for the Bobcats. It's not inconceivable, though, that the Kings or Warriors could participate in a multiteam trade that lands Iverson somewhere else. The Clippers, meanwhile, on Wednesday finally completed their negotiations on a contract extension with coach Mike Dunleavy, taking the untouchable Shaun Livingston even farther off the table than he already was.

Not a closet Pacer fan but I try to look at all things objectively. My point was this AI is a HOF player, no question but he also makes a ton of money equal to 3 legit NBA player, it also takes away two depth players . Indy sells out nearly all their home games therefore AI isn't putting more butts in the seats, so it must be viewed a pure basketball decision. I am not a fan of the make up of the Pacers roster it is too injury prone, taking away 2 depth player hurts the Pacers ability to overcome injuries. I think a deal that gets rid of Tinsley is a good one idea, or a trade that gets rid of all three individually but a three for 1 isn't good in today's NBA. The Pacer's problem is injuries and coaching for the most part. If they want to get better trade Tins and JO with a pick for Daly and AI. Then trade SJax to Cha for Knight. I think that giving AI depth helps his cause more than JO.

From a short term 2-3 year Franchise perspective it is a lot different from the Sheed trade. The Sheed trade involved expiring deals and Atkins if the Pistons regretted the trade they had a lot of cap room at the end of the year, and it only cost them low first rounders and Chucky. So the Pistons could have made a splash in FA. Plus the reality of the Sheed trade was everyone felt Detroit was a player away and it didn't hurt the core to trade away the guys they did. I don't think Indy is that close by getting AI. Which means they would need to look to 07 and 08 FA to improve, but all they would have are trades and the MLE. Indy is a very small market compared to Detroit and Indy ownership is growing flustered with paying lux tax while the team doesn't get better, so it's not like Walsh/Bird have the Knick's deep pockets to keep trying.
JS I think you are a great poster, but you are wrong all over this topic.

First, the Pacers do not sell out every home game. Attendance has sunk ever since their finals appearance in 2000. The Fieldhouse holds 18,000+ and they're average attendance is in the low 16,000+ mark. Ever since the brawl they've been trying to get the fans to believe that management is trying hard to put a new face on the floor. The brawl, Artest in general, and Jax and his guns have kept fans away from their home games.

While the Pacers' problem has been injuries, the reason they never made it over the hump is because they are too deep. How can you be too deep? Easy, their starters are only marginally better than their bench so while they've been able to run 12 guys out on the floor at times, that doesn't help in the playoffs past the first round. This move DRASTICALLY upgrades their starting unit. That alone makes it a great idea.

The only way trading JO for AI makes sense is if Harrington can be the 18ppg guy he was in Atlanta on a team that's actually playing meaningful games. I don't think he can be and while he started this season with some 30+ games, he's begun to mellow since then. I also don't think you go into a trade for a superstar hoping you can pull off another trade after it to make the superstar trade work. And if they have AI, Jackson makes absolutely no sense staying on that team. Its like putting a bad Stackhouse next to him. So not only do you have the almost trade-phobic Bobcats taking on a contract for a guy that almost no team wants anyway, right before they have the most cap room in the league and right before their "new franchice" low cap limit is finally gone but you have them doing so while the Pacers are in a position of almost absolutely zero power trying to get rid of a guy everyone will be able to see they can't use for a type of guy they will probably desperately need.

Short term for the Pacers this is about as close to the Sheed trade as you are going to get. AI has this year and 2 years after that left on his contract meaning if you deal for him you have the rest of this year and next year to see if you like him on your team for the future (before he's an ending contract with a lot higher trade value). Besides, adding AI doesn't really effect the Pacers cap/tax situation since both teams are over the cap and have to trade matching salaries anyway and the guys you are talking about having them trade for AI don't have contracts that are ending anytime soon (so its not like Indy would be giving away all their ending contracts). As already stated AI helps the Pacers back court which is what Indy would be looking to do at the trade deadline/next offseason and his contract ends one year before J.O's so if they wanted to blow up the team after this attempt at a run, they could realistically do it.

Indy is a small market as you said, but their owners have shown time and again that they are willing to pay the tax to keep their good players which we all know isn't the case with our guy.

realgm is reporting a deal is close to done sending iverson to denver.

of course, they also said boozer was traded to LAL and that KG had demanded a trade to NY. and their source website couldnt be any shadier. if they blow this one, they should be banned from breaking news forever.

realgm is reporting a deal is close to done sending iverson to denver.

of course, they also said boozer was traded to LAL and that KG had demanded a trade to NY. and their source website couldnt be any shadier. if they blow this one, they should be banned from breaking news forever.


lol, realgm says a deal imminent, and literally 30 seconds later a report comes out that he probably wont be traded till the allstar break. they do a fine job over there, getting all the scoops.

but we'll see. magette has asked for a trade, and pj brown has been venting lately about not being happy. i smell a trade coming very soon, not necessarilly involving iverson though. which is bs, the nba needs to intervene and force philly to do something. their dumbass gm has not only ruined his own team, but he's robbing nba fans of tens of games of allen iverson. hes going to make a crappy trade anyway, he might as well step it up and bite the bullet.

the only explanation i can think of as to why philly will wait till the ASB to trade iverson is that chicago is offering the best package to philly, but chicago wants to know about garnett before it breaks the bank on AI. makes perfect sense to me. philly would be stupid to pass up Chicago's deal (that knick pick alone is enough to make chicago the obvious destination). and this is a really good year to suck, so i guess philly wont mind complete chaos for the next 20 games.

if i were philly, and chicago got garnett, i'd trade every bad contract i had to the knicks, and take a young guy and expiring deals back. the young guy really wouldnt be that important, frye, lee, whoever. if they can get out of salary cap hell and position themselves to get oden, then theyd have a very bright future.

Sorry for not looking this up but I thought it was funny reading that Billy King has called Joe D trying to get him to jump onto the AI bandwagon. It sounds like Billy King really wants our guys and would jump all over a deal if Joe had a moment of weakness.

Sorry for not looking this up but I thought it was funny reading that Billy King has called Joe D trying to get him to jump onto the AI bandwagon. It sounds like Billy King really wants our guys and would jump all over a deal if Joe had a moment of weakness.

As much as i love Rip, Id do any deal without Billups,Tay and Max in it.

As much as i love Rip, Id do any deal without Billups,Tay and Max in it.

I would too, but it would need Sheed to make it work, which takes away two starters, and that doesn't help us get better. So that would mean Philly would need to find a third team to help find us a decent enough 4. Right now I don't think Dice and Max are enough to make up for Sheed night to night. I am not saying we need starter back with AI, but at least a decent bench guy who can contribute steady numbers.

Would you do an Iverson and Carney trade for Rip, Dice, and Hunter and Orlando's pick?

It works and I sure as hell would be interested in that.

That's probably a better offer than Jackson, Tinsley, and Daniels or Nene and Joe Smith or whatever.

Dice is coming of the books for Philly and could use hunter and Ollie as their point guards(not the best but it's better than Ollie and ?)

If Korver was also to be involved in another trade, they would have Richard Hamilton and AI as swingman which would be pretty damn good.

Dice would be the perfect player next to or infront of Webber. WEbber gets injrued often and have no one. Dice and Sameul Dalembert could co-exist.

Thoughts?

Id rather have hamilton and iverson working together, but that trade sure would be great for us.

Can Carney play any PF?

i personally would do it cross but unfortunately none of these proposals have a snowball's chance in hell since joe is not looking at any big deals. especially since our record is solid right now.

but i personally would do it because it would help us longterm and some moves should be made regardless of record. we won't win a title like this but someone like iverson gives us a shot. i love carney too.

and i personally think billups would bea PERFECT backcourt mate for iverson, better than rip. billups can play defensively against 2 guards and he's a great spot up shooter deep. i think it would be a match made in heaven.

not that it wouldn't be sad to break up rip and billups. i love rip and would hate to see him go. but there are some things he can't do, and come playoff time that kills us. he's basically just a spot-up shooter and when he can't get open we're screwed.

he can't take guys off the dribble to get his own shot, whether it's a J or a drive to the hoop; he is a horrible finisher around the rim too. these are strengths of iverson's and would make us twice as good come playoff time.

but oh well- we'll just have to dream about it since it won't happen. :(

I would too, but it would need Sheed to make it work, which takes away two starters, and that doesn't help us get better.
You would only have to trade Dale, Lindsey and Rip for Iverson.

i'd prefer to try and dump mohammed on them since davis is an actual player for us.

but nobody would want his deal. :)

i wish it would happen, seriously. but unfortunately conventional wisdom says you don't trade an allstar player (rip) when everything is going great with them.

screw conventional wisdom! :(

billy king told ESPN all but 2 teams called to ask about trading for him, or facilitating a trade for him to another team. i'm guessing those 2 teams are the spurs, and......us?

interesting...

no, billy king is just trying to do a sell job and say there is a high demand for his asset. he has no bargaining power, hes just sitting back and waiting for the deal that sucks the least.

fun guessing game. what 2 teams dont want AI?

i'll go with san antonio and portland. though i dont get san an, i think that would be a great fit.

Kind of a tangent but pretty funny...

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/weblog/index.ssf?/mtlogs/mlive_pistons/archives/2006_12.html#216490


Now I can understand why the Boston media loves Paul Pierce. Here’s a nugget from the All-star when asked about the possibility of playing with disgruntled Philadelphia guard Allen Iverson, who like Pierce, has the ball in his hands a lot. “I’ve played with the biggest ‘jacker’ in league history in Antoine Walker, didn’t I?” Pierce told the Boston Globe. “He was just jacking up shots. At least Iverson might go hit them at a higher clip and get to the free throw line.” You know, Paul really needs to, uh, open up more and let us know what’s REALLY on his mind, huh?

thats ironic.

If PP wants to go to the playoffs he should play with toine.

Him and Antoine played so well together and go to the ECF once i think and lost to the Nets.

They reached the playoffs 4 times together...can anyone clarify if he has since Antoine left?

PP needs to think again before bitching about his teammates.

Those 2 teams would probably have to be either the Spurs, Suns, Pistons or maybe even the Nets.

Perhaps any good thoughts PP had for Walker dissapeared the moment this happened.

http://wtfdetroit.com/forums/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Greene000/shimmy-1.gif%5B/IMG%5Dhttp://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Greene000/shimmy-1.gif

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/Greene000/shimmy-1.gif

Thin ice, pal.

Tread lightly.

PMs.

Well the suns have asked about Iverson and if the Suns were to trade anyone, it'd have to be Marcus Banks or Shawn Marion.

Well the suns have asked about Iverson and if the Suns were to trade anyone, it'd have to be Marcus Banks or Shawn Marion.
The idea behind getting rid of Marion is that they would re-sign Diaw. So, how much is Diaw worth? Do you think he's a product of Nash and D'Antoni, or is he someone other teams would seriously consider making a run for? Would Diaw for 5 years at $50-55 million be more worthwhile than Marion for another two years at $33 million, or do you think they could sign Diaw for less money/years?

Barring injury (and he's rarely injured, with heavy minutes out of his natural position), Marion's a consistent great producer. Diaw has a handle and can do all kinds of great things, but was out of shape coming out the gate this year. I'd be hard-pressed to get rid of Marion.

I think they re-signed Diaw already, Mxy.

5 years, $45 million according to my googlizations.

Oh wow... I missed that. Where's a good place for teams' long-term salary info? Hoopshype just doesn't cut it.

http://www.storytellerscontracts.info/index.html

Does Philly really think that they are going to do better than Denver's offer? If you believe the reports that are out there, it looks like Joe Smith's expiring deal, Andre Miller and BOTH of Denver's 1st round picks (theirs and Dallas') for this "loaded" draft.

I'd say that's a pretty fair return, albeit Miller's contract is not the best.

With 3 1st round picks, a PG (Miller), a young (but inconsistent) big man (Dalembert), Iguodala and Korver, they could rebuild pretty quickly if they draft well, especially after Webber's deal expires.

Iverson to Denver. For Andre Miller, two 1st round picks, and someone else that I missed.

Joe Smith. Nice job UxKa

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2702501

Does Philly really think that they are going to do better than Denver's offer? If you believe the reports that are out there, it looks like Joe Smith's expiring deal, Andre Miller and BOTH of Denver's 1st round picks (theirs and Dallas') for this "loaded" draft.

I'd say that's a pretty fair return, albeit Miller's contract is not the best.

With 3 1st round picks, a PG (Miller), a young (but inconsistent) big man (Dalembert), Iguodala and Korver, they could rebuild pretty quickly if they draft well, especially after Webber's deal expires.

Well I guess that answers that question.

Billy King obviously lurks here.

Wow, the NBA's top two leading scorers (at least for now) are now on the same team.

Congrats to: Balloonsface, FillyCheezeSteak, geerussell, JickBoy34, Joe Asberry and WTFchris for picking the Nuggets in the poll.

This is good news for the Pistons... Chauncey's prime candidate for leaving has just added a big time contract.

I hope they play Iverson and Boykins together at one point.

wow. i think philly could've done better than that. miller is nice but smith? garbage!

and the 2 first rounders are likely later on. so while they'll be valuable in a ridiculously deep draft, i think they could've gotten more.

This is good news for the Pistons... Chauncey's prime candidate for leaving has just added a big time contract.

I wonder if things go sour for AI or for Chauncey this year if the Pistons would S&T Chauncey for AI?

Just thinking out loud here, not saying either side would do it.

Philly could be pretty decent if they can drop CWebb, maybe pawn him off on the Knicks?

Miller/Green
AI2/Carney
Korver/mid-first(B. Rush?)
Smith/young stud(B. Wright for instance)
Dalembert/late first(Sean Williams?)

Add in the MLE - and they have a pretty solid team.

AI and Carmelo on the same team wanting the same ball... hooboy!

I'd be more worried about Carmelo falling apart now.

Looking to next year, Denver could be pretty scary in a perfect world. Lets say AI and Melo can share the rock, and KMart comes back strong. Thats a nightmare for the rest of the NBA.

I'd say Philly made out pretty damn good.

And, iirc, i bet on the NUGz but I can't find the bet anymore.

i dont know, an ok player with a bad contract, a little cap relief, and 2 picks that are practically second rounders. not bad, especially considering the absolute crap that was rumored, but i dont think this is much to write home about. beating a dead horse, but for the life of me, i dont get why chicago didnt grab AI.

Is Andre Miller a Killer Klown from Outer Space?

http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3331.jpg

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/PF_NEW%5C08_24_2005_B/PF_981099~Killer-Klowns-from-Outer-Space-Posters.jpg

I agree with those concerned that there anren't nearly enough shots to go around for the leagues top two scorers (chuckers). Marcus Camby will average 17 OFFENSIVE rebounds per game.

isn't it obvious- chicago didn't go after AI because he wears headbands.

It is abundantly clear to me that the key to this deal for Denver is Ivan McFarlin. He's got superstar written all over him, folks. You heard it here first.

Want to see this thing really turn into a circus?

Watch Karl bring in LB as his lead assistant, lol.

Everybody is wondering about "enough shots", or personalities mixing, or egos getting in the way.
I'm worried about the new phenomenon in today's NBA
Posse Mixing.
With the arrival of Iverson and his "Crew", there may be enough weapons in the Nuggets camp to arm China. And then some. Plus, as for Melo, well, it's been a few years since his Syracuse days, and more than a few people are worried about an "East Coast" vs "Almost West Coast" flare up.
I think it's just a matter of time before someone "Busts a cap up in this mug".

Here's the thing, to me: I don't know what else was out there for the 6ers to get, but this just doesn't seem enough to me. What's a mid-20s first rounder really worth? Yeah, you hit the jackpot occasionally, but for the most part, it's a flurry of Will Blalocks and Luther Heads, etc. Not bad players but definitely not difference makers.

Andre Miller's the same idea in my book. He's a very, very good player. You can plug him in there as your PG for 3 years and he'll be more than admirable, exceptional at times even, but is he ever going to put you over the top? He can be a piece of a championship team, but until you get that championship team around him, what's the point? This trade does nothing to secure their future. It's a complete waste to me, and King's done after this one, I think.

Yes, there's something to be said for keeping yourself competitive in the meantime when you're rebuilding, but this was Phillie's one big chance. They needed to make a move that had the potential to put them back on the map for 2008 or 2009 if they were going to trade their centerpiece. Instead, they get 2 years of Andre Miller and 2 crapshoot draft picks.

To me, you have to say that trading AI means giving up, for the most part. You say screw getting an Andre Miller or a 25th pick and you hold out for the younguns or the top picks. If it doesn't materialize, fine, but as is, they're still not going to be a playoff team this year. They're still not a playoff team in 08 or 09. You need to realize the dismal reality of your situation and go for what you NEED or wait it out. Don't settle for a stopgap like this.

I don't know, maybe Iguodala's ready to make the jump and put them over the top out of Iverson's shadow but I just don't see it.

damint, we coulda done an iverson trade if it was that easy to nab him.

I still don't understand why Philly didn't hold out for a youngster with potential plus picks. Philly did ok but I think that they could have definitely done much better.

Was any other team offering a better deal?

Cap relief, 2 draft picks and a veteran pass-first PG is not a bad deal.

If Miller can help AI2 develop and compliment the other young guys in Philly then all is good. They do have some decent young talent in Philly.

With 3 first round picks in 2007 the Sixers have a lot of flexibility to make trades or they can keep them and have a great Draft Night.

I think this trade works out well for the Sixers, especially when you consider the cap savings they're going to have over the next 2 or 3 seasons.

I actually think the deal is a huge gamble for Denver. If Melo and Iverson can't mesh then this is gonna be a long fucking soap opera.

In a draft that experts consier this deep, they have to get at least one solid player out of three picks, with a chance at 3 future starters. Law of averages says this will turn out decently for them. AI didn't want to play for them and they had to pick from the young players other teams were offering. Why not take two draft picks and pick whatever young players you want, not just what other teams are willing to give up.

So Philly has 3 draft picks this draft. Good for them, but the bad part is who is in charge of pickin' em. Oy.

I'm not saying that Philly did badly. I'm only saying that they only shopped him heavily for what....less than a week. I just thought that they could get more for him. Foye + a couple firsts + filler from Minn? A youngster (Deng, Gordon, Thomas) plus picks and filler from the Bulls? Jefferson, 1sts, and filler from Boston? These were all included in rumors and may or may not have been available. I just think that Philly could have held out for more. I think that the Philly front office took less just to get it over and done with.

I'm not saying that Philly did badly. I'm only saying that they only shopped him heavily for what....less than a week. I just thought that they could get more for him. Foye + a couple firsts + filler from Minn? A youngster (Deng, Gordon, Thomas) plus picks and filler from the Bulls? Jefferson, 1sts, and filler from Boston? These were all included in rumors and may or may not have been available. I just think that Philly could have held out for more. I think that the Philly front office took less just to get it over and done with.

It may have seen like it was only a week, but they've explored dealing him many times before, and there were many that felt he was going to be dealt during the past offseason and he wasn't (presumabaly because the offers they were getting back we're good enough). If you recall, the Pistons were involved in one of those offseason scenarios, as were the Celtics.

I'm pretty sure that they explored almost every option before taking this one. A big part of taking it public IMO was a message to the other NBA teams that they had one last shot to up their offers. Maybe nobody did?

I think Philly did about as well as could be expected.

turns into he said, she said now.

In first interview since trade, Iverson tells his story
ESPN.com

Allen Iverson says he never demanded a trade, but he's sure happy he landed in Denver.

In his first interview since the Nuggets acquired him from the 76ers, Iverson told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith on Wednesday, "It's a great feeling. I'm just glad the whole process is over. I think I'm just put in a situation where I can succeed."

More from ESPN360
Stephen A. Smith's complete interview with Allen Iverson is available on ESPN360

Iverson took exception to the perception that he went into Sixers general manager Billy King's office and demanded a trade almost two weeks ago.

"I went into a meeting with Billy and I had expressed my frustrations," Iverson said. "We had lost 12 of 14 games and something wasn't right. I told Billy King we couldn't win with this style. I didn't directly say, 'Trade me -- I'm ready to go.'"

The four-time scoring champion, seven-time All-Star and 2001 league MVP said he told his teammates about the meeting and told them he "loved them."


But he said the Sixers had to know that, "If they didn't change what was going on so that we had a chance to win, I thought they should get rid of me."

The time surrounding his discussion with King and the weeks after were especially difficult.

"From the last month I didn't feel appreciated at all," Iverson said. "And I still feel that way to an extent. I just knew that any team I went to they were going to appreciate what I can do on a basketball court."

Iverson repeatedly thanked his fans for all of their support, but he appeared relieved to be leaving the Philadelphia sports pressure cooker.

"I love my fans in Philadelphia, but this is the hardest place in the world to play in," Iverson said. "And I think it's the hardest place to play in to be a superstar. Just to be the No. 1 guy. All eyes on you -- because everybody wants you to be perfect, but not themselves."

From his conflicts with coaches to his brushes with the law, Iverson wasn't ready to trade his time in Philly.

"It was a great experience for me -- the ups and downs -- because I became a man in Philadelphia," he said.

Iverson is scheduled to make his Nuggets debut on Friday in Denver against the Kings. The Nuggets were holding out hope that he could play in Wednesday's game, but a snowstorm not only kept Iverson in Philly, but it also forced the postponement of the Nuggets' game against Phoenix.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2704221

David Aldridge's job as Philly reporter must be a lot less fun with AI gone.

What's notable is that Aldridge gives props to us Pistons faithful (put in bold below), but those props are deleted in the Denver syndication of his article. How did I catch this? I was somewhat surprised that a thoughtful guy like David Aldridge didn't mention us as a counter-example, so I looked at the original article (at least, the original source of the article) and was surprised. It's nice to be disrespected:

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/16307132.htm
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_4893667


There goes one more.

Add Allen Iverson to the list of people you'll see exactly once a year in Philadelphia from now on.

Iverson's addition to the Western Conference only furthers a yawning chasm between the talent pool in the West and in the East, which has created powerhouse teams out West while leaving the East in the embarrassing position of having a division, the Atlantic, where no team is yet above .500 almost two months into the season.

Western Conference fans get a regular diet of Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki, Carmelo Anthony, Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, Ray Allen, Pau Gasol, Ron Artest, Zach Randolph, Elton Brand, Chris Paul and Andrei Kirilenko, as well as emerging stars such as Jazz guard Deron Williams. They get to see most of those players at least twice a season, and often more, factoring in the postseason.

The Nuggets were in the middle of the pack in attendance before acquiring Iverson, and part of owner Stan Kroenke's willingness to bring Iverson into the fold was his belief that Iverson would sell tickets at the Pepsi Center. And Kroenke has been proven right.

The team sold 600 season-ticket packages in the first 48 hours after the trade was announced, as well as 7,000 individual-game tickets, a team spokesman said. (And, keep in mind, Denver was socked by a blizzard Wednesday that closed the team's offices for two days.)

Meanwhile, the Sixers' decision to trade Iverson officially leaves them at the bottom, looking up.

"We had to start over," Sixers chairman Ed Snider said last week. "We had no choice. My philosophy is absolutely to primarily entertain the fans, but we want to win. And while Allen was a great entertainer as a player, we weren't winning."

Much has been made of the league's problem in the red states, supposedly the more conservative areas of the country. But the league has just as big an issue in blue-state America. Up and down the East Coast, teams continue to struggle drawing fans and creating buzz.

Technically, for example, the Knicks are sixth in the league in attendance, averaging 18,931 fans a game. But many of them are disguised as empty seats, with swaths of fanless sections visible at Madison Square Garden.

Across the river, the Nets' decision to move to Brooklyn in 2009 has made them a lame-duck franchise - and New Jersey was never great at selling folks on coming to the Meadowlands during the franchise's high-water mark a few years ago, when it made consecutive appearances in the NBA Finals.

The same is true in Boston, Charlotte and Atlanta - and, of course, here at home, where sellouts are now an anomaly. (The conference's only saving grace is the Midwest, where winning squads in Detroit and Chicago rank first and second in the league in attendance, and Cleveland ranks fifth.)

That raises a question: Exactly who would you pay to see that regularly plays east of the Mississippi?

Well, there's the Heat's Dwyane Wade, the Cavs' LeBron James and Jason Kidd, and Vince Carter in New Jersey. You'd probably fork over for the Wizards' Gilbert Arenas, or Boston's Paul Pierce, or Orlando's Dwight Howard. Maybe the Pacers' Jermaine O'Neal. Or maybe you appreciate the all-around excellence of the Pistons.

But... that's about all.

It's not just that there are more good teams out West. That, indeed, is a cyclical thing, and part of it is luck. Almost none of the players selected by Eastern teams at the top of the draft in recent years - such as Emeka Okafor in Charlotte, Andrew Bogut in Milwaukee, or Andrea Bargnani in Toronto - have become superstars capable of carrying their teams.

The bigger issue is that because the talent pool is so tilted, the majority of NBA fans, in most of the league's major media markets, are not getting to see most of the league's best talent on a regular basis.

You can call it East Coast bias if you like. The more accurate name is bad economics.

The league will point out that two of the last three NBA champions, Detroit in 2004 and Miami last season, came from the East. But this isn't about the Finals; it's about the six months that precede the playoffs. That's when you develop your fan base, develop the crazies that will come out in cold weather. The playoffs are for the casual fan, who is drawn in by the prospect of crowning a champion.

But there will be no playoffs here this season. And Iverson is playing with Anthony now, leaving you the choice of opening up your wallet this winter to see... what, exactly?

I was in Denver for the last 10 days and all the paper had was basically the AI talks. Even the Broncos who are still in the playoff hunt weren't much of a topic.

I like the deal for Philly. Their young players should develop a lot better with a true PG there. Korver might be exposed though without someone drawing double teams every play. He is nothing but a chucker and might not blossome without AI drawing defenders. I think this will help AI2 though much like Kmart(did) and RJ from Kidd being there.