Tuesday's Latest Iverson Rumors

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Iverson Won't Be A Bobcat
Dec 12 - The Sixers, according to a source, were close to sending Allen Iverson to the Charlotte Bobcats for a package of players yesterday afternoon. But Iverson indicated his displeasure with being sent to the Bobcats - the league's newest team, having begun play in 2004 - and the deal died, the source said.

Sources indicate that Indiana, Boston and Minnesota continue to express interest in Iverson, with Denver and Sacramento also in the mix.

A source said Sacramento was discussing a package including guard Mike Bibby and forward Kenny Thomas for Iverson. -- Philadelphia Inquirer

# Stephen A. Smith reports that the Golden State Warriors are the frontrunners, with the Celtics a close second.

"I know for a fact that the Philadelphia 76ers desperately want somebody like a Monta Ellis because they like his skills and they love his contract. And that's the one guy that Golden State desperately wants to hold on to. But I think they ultimately have to unload him in order for the Sixers to pull the trigger and make the deal. So I would say Golden State's the front runner right now.

But you can not rule out Boston because they want to hold onto Al Jefferson and they're gonna wait until the eleventh hour if possible. But at the end of the day, Doc Rivers more than anybody else wants so desperately for Allen Iverson to be paired with Paul Pierce. And if he has to give up Al Jefferson to do it then that's what he will do but I think Danny Ainge is holding out on that as much as he possibly can and there's a stalemate going on there.

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# In Rumorville - and, please, there is no hard confirmation of anything here - there is speculation of discussions with the Los Angeles Clippers that could net some combination of Corey Maggette, Sam Cassell, Zeljko Rebraca and a first-round draft choice, and whispers of talks with the Denver Nuggets surrounding something that could include J.R. Smith, Eduardo Najera and Nene. -- Philadelphia Daily News

Around the NBA ...

# According to a league source, the Celtics remain on the list of teams in contention for Iverson's services, along with Golden State, Minnesota, Indiana, Chicago, Denver, Charlotte, Sacramento, Dallas, and the Clippers. According to another league source, Golden State is the front-runner, offering a package that would include guard Baron Davis and a couple of young players.

Boston is also near the top with a deal that could send Al Jefferson, Delonte West, Sebastian Telfair, and Theo Ratliff to Philadelphia. -- Boston Globe

# Danny Ainge continues to stress that he hasn't placed a specific offer on the table, though the C's director of basketball operations has had numerous conversations on the subject with Philadelphia 76ers general manager Billy King.

Ratliff, an injured veteran who has only played two games for the Celtics this season, doesn't mind the speculation about heading back to his old team.

"I've been a part of this for so long, it doesn't bother me," Ratliff said. "I have no control over something like that." -- Boston Herald

# A few out-of-town reports had the Bulls possibly open to trading for Iverson. But coach Scott Skiles confirmed what was written in the local newspapers -- that the Bulls have no interest in adding a player famous for his aversion to practice.

"I know we're not a team that's in there talking about it, contrary to a couple reports I've read," Skiles said before Monday's game. -- Arlington Heights Daily Herald

# Disgruntled Allen Iverson is wanted by many teams now that Philadelphia has officially put the All-Star guard on the trading block. But the Pistons aren't among them.

Iverson's salary and the idea that adding him would break up the Pistons' core group, are the main reasons Detroit will not pursue a player they had interest in acquiring in the past. -- MLive.com

# Chris Mullin declined to state for the record if he has spoken to Philadelphia 76ers general manager Billy King regarding guard Allen Iverson's trade demand.

"I wouldn't divulge who I talk to," Mullin said. He did notice the amount of chatter surrounding the former NBA Most Valuable Player. "It definitely stirs up a lot of conversations," Mullin said. "Every game I watch on television, that's the topic around the league." -- Contra Costa Times

# The Warriors are as active and aggressive in diving on Iverson's loose body as any team. Not to keep A.I. (and you thought Don Nelson was seriously about playing smallest) but to re-route his $49M, two-years-to-go debt along with at least one of their dead-weight contracts - Adonal Foyle, Troy Murphy or Mike Dunleavy.

Jason Richardson is the guy King has coveted for some time. However, his surgically repaired knee is hurting and not only in the healing area. -- New York Post

# "We're in the mix," Kings co-owner Joe Maloof said Monday, referring to talks with the 76ers, "but I don't want to say anything else. Every time I say something these days, I get into trouble. We don't need to panic. We don't like losing, but we have time. It isn't like our schedule has been a cakewalk. Let's just see. A lot of other teams are losing." -- Sacramento Bee

# Speaking generally about Iverson, Elgin Baylor, the Clippers vice president of basketball operations, said that it is no surprise that most teams would covet the 31-year old.

"He's been the MVP of the league, led the league in scoring and he's still a terrific player," Baylor said. "He's probably the toughest player in the league. He's certainly a gamer and so why wouldn't a lot of teams be interested in a player like Iverson?"

Mike Dunleavy said every team is interested in Iverson but the prevailing factor in any projected deal would be cost. -- Orange County Register</div>

Warriors and Celtics are the frontrunners now.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">What they're saying on the Allen Iverson grapevine: The Answer has let it be known that he doesn't want to play in Charlotte.

What they're also saying in front-office circles: Iverson isn't thrilled about the prospect of relocating to Sacramento, either.</div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Iverson, sources says, most wants to go Minnesota or Boston. He's also apparently open to Indiana and would presumably sanction Denver, which has registered interest in spite of its vows to sit this out.</div>

Source

The only team we consistently see interest from both sides is Boston. Iverson has them on his list and Boston has been after him since June.

 

<div class="quote_poster">GameFace Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Right now the trades I would like to see happen in order are...

Minnesota sending Foye, Davis/James, picks

Boston sending Gerald Green, Al Jefferson, and Theo Ratliff, maybe a pick

Golden State sending Ellis, Richardson/Davis, picks.</div>

Don't think any of those are realistic. All of the teams interested in A.I. have let it be known that they won't trade off their future for A.I.. Minny wouldn't send Foye and picks, Boston wouldn't send Green, especially not if they have to give Jefferson as well, and GS isn't trading off Monta at all and probably woulnd't trade any picks in any potential deal unless they were second round picks or Philly's protected first back to them.

 

<div class="quote_poster">GameFace Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Boston has already stated they will part with anyone but Pierce. Although, they would prefer to hang on to Jefferson they have stated that if it comes down to that they will part with him. </div>

It may not come down to that though, there aren't many teams aggressively going after Iverson and none that I've heard are offering their best young player. It seems like most teams are passive and the offers haven't been to Philly's liking, interested teams have been very conservative, trying to get Iverson without giving up much. Its not likely that any other team would offer something that would force Boston to give both Green and Jefferson.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Monta is the main piece keeping the 76ers interested in a deal with Golden State right now. Steven A. Smith said a trade with GS would likely include him. </div>

I don't buy a word Steven A. Smith says, GS hasn't shown all that much interest and they're only considered front runners because they have the right combination of young players, semi-large contracts, and a few star guards. They're not going to trade off Monta or Biedrins, most likely a GS deal would include one of Baron or J-Rich with one of Murphy, Dunleavy, or Foyle, and Diogu or Pietrus, and thats at the very most and probably Philly would have to throw in a serviceable player (Willie Green, Stephen Hunter, etc.).

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">As far as Minnesota goes I think Foye and a 1st round pick thats lottery protected is reasonable. They have already traded away their 2007 1st round pick to the Clippers though.</div>

A lotto protected pick and Foye is reasonable Minny's owner has been hesitant to trade for A.I., they don't seem desperate to get A.I. although I think they should be.