<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Celtics are very much back in the hunt for Allen Iverson. According to league sources, the Celts were on the phone to the 76ers as soon as they learned that Iverson and Philadelphia had reached a point of no return. The Sixers kept Iverson out of last night?s game against Washington, and team chairman Ed Snider said he would be traded. Sources say Philly president Billy King is well aware of the Celtics? interest in finding a deal that works for both sides. Danny Ainge had no word on a possible trade last night, saying, ?I don?t comment on trade rumors.? But it was known that the Celts had spoken to Philadelphia management about what they had to offer for Iverson. The fact the talks had slowed later last night had some in the league thinking the 76ers have another deal in the works, but word is the Celtics are willing to discuss a number of different packages. The Celts believed they were close to a deal for Iverson this past summer, but the best of those scenarios included Utah, which now has the best record in the NBA and would likely be loath to upset what it has going. Count Paul Pierce in favor of getting Iverson. ?Sure. Why not?? he said before a 116-111 loss to Phoenix. ?I think we can mesh well together. Any time you have two guys of that caliber of play and they play together, things would work out. They?d find a way. ?It would definitely provide some excitement to get a caliber of player like Allen Iverson. Who would want to turn that down? I think it would be a thing about respect. You?ve got two All-Stars on one team, and it would be a respect factor. I have a lot of respect for his game, and I?m sure he has a lot of respect over the years going against each other.? Looking at the Iverson situation overall, Pierce said, ?I think eventually something will happen. I think he?s a great player and he deserves better.? Some may believe Pierce deserves to play on a winning team, but don?t look for him to ask out of Boston - as Iverson evidently has asked out of Philadelphia. ?I think we?re in two different situations,? Pierce said. ?Philly has really tried to rebuild around Allen Iverson with the (Chris) Webber trade, focusing on that duo. And they see that it really didn?t work out; whereas us, we?re focusing on helping our younger guys grow. It?s totally two different scenarios - the patience of a young team compared to a team that?s probably already peaked.? Celtics coach Doc Rivers on the Iverson rumors: ?He?s not on our team. I have no reaction.? Wally?s woes </div> Source Based on all the AI artices I've read today, it sounds like the front runner to land Iverson is Boston. According to this article above, Boston called Philly once they heard Iverson is available and according to the MYSanAntonio site, AI has asked to be traded to Boston or Chicago. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> That the teams to which the Sixers reached out after Allen Iverson said he wanted a trade this week were the Bulls and Celtics. The Nuggets and Pacers are said to be intrigued and trying to at least get in on the talking. They likely won't be the only teams that make calls to Philly.</div> Source These two teams flirted over the summer and Boston only backed out because Philly wanted Telfair at the time, and Ainge didn't want to include him. With the emergence of Rondo and West healthy, maybe Ainge would be open to the idea of including Telfair along with Gerald Green and presumably Theo Ratliff. This deal would work out financially for both sides. Ratliff + Telfair + Green for Iverson It's going to be interesting to see if two Division rivals can pull off a blockbuster deal, but right now this appears to be the best deal Philly has available to them.
This summer I was all about getting this deal done no matter who was involved for the Celts (unless it was Pierce). now I'm not so sure. I love Iverson but he has even less good years left in him than Pierce. It would be perfect if we just needed one more great scoring veteran gaurd to put us over the edge but we have so many needs and holes that this wouldnt even come close to making us a serious contender. We would still have no big man who could be counted on to regularly outplay his counterparts night in and night out even when we play teams with good bigs. As much as I know that he will probably never be as good as IVerson already is I would be sick to see us give up on Gerald Green only to see him go and have several good to great years for another team long after Iverson has declined.
<div class="quote_poster">olskoolFunktitude Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">This summer I was all about getting this deal done no matter who was involved for the Celts (unless it was Pierce). now I'm not so sure. I love Iverson but he has even less good years left in him than Pierce. It would be perfect if we just needed one more great scoring veteran gaurd to put us over the edge but we have so many needs and holes that this wouldnt even come close to making us a serious contender. We would still have no big man who could be counted on to regularly outplay his counterparts night in and night out even when we play teams with good bigs. As much as I know that he will probably never be as good as IVerson already is I would be sick to see us give up on Gerald Green only to see him go and have several good to great years for another team long after Iverson has declined.</div> Gerald Green is the 'x-factor' in the deal, but the question becomes, "How long before he becomes a superstar?" The window of opportunity to win with Paul Pierce is only going to be available for a few more seasons. I don't think the Celtics can afford to wait for Green to come around if they plan on making a title run with Pierce. The East is up for grabs at this point, and the duo of Pierce and Iverson could be enough to come out of the East and make the Finals. The combination of Pierce and Walker made a nice run. The Celtics would still need to streghthen the front cout with another move and cross their fingers Al and Perkins can stay healthy. I think it's well worth the gamble to make a run now with Pierce and Iverson, than to remain in the current state of limbo this franchise is in.
Ummmm, there's a small problem with those trade proposals. Philly has 15 players on their team. You would have to throw one more player in on the Sixer's side. If you didn't then they would have to have two spots on their deactivated list, which they don't, because you're only allowed one player in that role. That leaves one man in limbo, and you can't have that, because every team is contractually obligated by one of the strongest unions on the planet to make sure that every player with a contract gets to be on the team. If they don't fulfill that premise, their only hope is to buy someone out, and according to cap rules, they can't do that either, nor would they want to. So it's back to the old drawing board.
<div class="quote_poster">Squishface Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Ummmm, there's a small problem with those trade proposals. Philly has 15 players on their team. You would have to throw one more player in on the Sixer's side. If you didn't then they would have to have two spots on their deactivated list, which they don't, because you're only allowed one player in that role. That leaves one man in limbo, and you can't have that, because every team is contractually obligated by one of the strongest unions on the planet to make sure that every player with a contract gets to be on the team. If they don't fulfill that premise, their only hope is to buy someone out, and according to cap rules, they can't do that either, nor would they want to. So it's back to the old drawing board.</div> I realize the 76ers will have to make an additional two moves. I've always felt a 3rd team would have to step in to make any deal possible. Assuming they can't find a 3rd team, the 76ers could always waive two of these 3 players. Alan Henderson, Ivan McFarlin, or Steven Smith According to this article Mavs and Celtics are the front-runners LINK
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Ratliff + Telfair + Green for Iverson It's going to be interesting to see if two Division rivals can pull off a blockbuster deal, but right now this appears to be the best deal Philly has available to them.</div> What I actually heard over the summer was that the Sixers wanted West, and the offer included Telfair. IMO Doc is more high on Telfair than Ainge is. I think the C's got Telfair in a bid for Iverson "because Mo Cheeks drafted and apparently liked Telfair. My understanding is that Ainge is in love with West and really doesn't want to give him up.
It really sucks to be the Sixers right now cause they currently have a full roster, so moving only Iverson isn't really an option unless it's 1 for 1, which is about as likely as Sacramento building an arena for the Kings.
So A.I would play point in Boston? Seems like a possible log jam at SG/SF if he were traded there, with Pierce, Sczerbiak, Tony Allen, West and Rondo.
First I want you guys to know I'm still 100% against this trade. We'd probably end up trading way to many building blocks for the future. I'm come to accept that this season is probably lost now even though the Atlantic is still anyone's game and I could be wrong some players could end up having breakout seasons, but now I think we should be playing for the future. If we trade for AI what would we get 1 maybe 2 championships tops. And since when does Iverson = a championship. I just think we should wait another season and let everyone develop.
