<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Three-Team Trade? Dec 14 - A source said yesterday that the Nuggets might be trying to involve a third team, the Portland Trail Blazers, in the deal. The proposed trade would send forward Nene to the Trail Blazers, who then would ship center Jamaal Magloire to the Sixers. The Nuggets would send another player, possibly former Sixer Joe Smith, to the Sixers, and the Sixers would direct Iverson to Denver. The source also said the Warriors might be out of the running for Iverson. -- Philadelphia Inquirer # Hypothetically speaking, Delonte West said he would welcome the chance to play for the Sixers. "I've grown to love Boston and the Boston fans, but when you have a place in the league, you wouldn't mind coming back home," said West, who is a native of Washington. "Philadelphia is like home to me. If that happened, I'd get ready to eat pretzels and cheesesteaks every day again. But, that's out of my control. Now, I'm wearing the green and white, and wearing the clover, proudly." -- Philadelphia Inquirer # Paul Pierce said he has not talked to Celtics president Danny Ainge in about two weeks, or before the 76ers proclaimed that they will trade Iverson. But Pierce said Ainge understands his position. "He understands that it can be frustrating for me at times, being on a young team and wanting to win so badly," Pierce said. "I would love to play with a great player. Anytime you get the opportunity to play with a great player, you should want that." -- Wilmington News-Journal Around the NBA ... # Executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said yesterday he had not talked with Sixers president Billy King for 48 hours. Ainge characterized the chances of a Boston-Philadelphia deal as "slim." With no deal in sight, Iverson's stock appears to have fallen dramatically. Possible suitors now sound skittish about acquiring the talented but notoriously difficult All-Star guard. Minnesota, Golden State, and Denver remain the front-runners, with Dallas, Indiana, Chicago, and the Clippers other possibilities. -- Boston Globe # Multiple league sources said yesterday the Celtics remain in the hunt for the soon-to-be ex-Sixers star, who has cleaned out his locker and washed his hands of the only franchise for which he has ever played. Yet Danny Ainge told the Globe's Shira Springer last night his club's chance of pulling off a deal for A.I. were "slim." -- Boston Globe # The Heat contacted the Sixers on Tuesday, a source said, to toss its hat into the Iverson ring. But given what the Heat has to trade, it's unlikely the Sixers will give serious thought to any offer. -- Miami Herald # Apparently the Heat is in the Allen Iverson sweepstakes after all. "I would be delinquent in my responsibility if I wasn't interested in Allen Iverson," Pat Riley said. "That's all I'm going to say. I'm not going to comment anymore. Just like when (center) Shaquille (O'Neal) came out, I was frothing at the mouth. So my level of interest can be gauged on that comment." -- Palm Beach Post # According to league sources, the Nuggets have quietly but steadfastly worked to close a deal for the 31-year-old star, who was put on the block last week after he demanded a trade. "We're trying to make our roster better every day. That's our job, to find ways to make the Nuggets better," Denver vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien said Wednesday. "We're sitting here today with a winning record, and I'm here to say we like our team. But here's the simple deal. You look for ways to try to get better, if you can." -- Denver Post # With several players owning contracts that potentially end by 2008 and with two draft picks next year, the Nuggets could put together a package for Allen Iverson that would be attractive to the 76ers. An NBA source said Wednesday the Nuggets are in the mix for Iverson, who asked to be traded last week. Denver had trade conversations Wednesday with the Sixers, but nothing is imminent. -- Denver Post # This much is known. The Sixers want but won't get Clippers 21-year-old point guard Shaun Livingston. What Philadelphia can propose is a Corey Maggette and Cuttino Mobley offer from the Clippers for Iverson. Contractually, the deal would work but it would leave the Clippers bare at the shooting guard position, and in position to have to pay a luxury tax next year, if Livingston is signed to an extension. -- Orange County Register # Cavs guard Eric Snow is still close to the NBA's most intriguing figure of the moment, former 76ers teammate Allen Iverson. He's been trying to reach him for days, but hasn't been able to, though their wives have spoken. "He just wants to play, I know that," Snow said. "He may be a tough person to play with -- a lot of people are. But you'll never hear someone who played with him say anything bad about him." -- Akron Beacon-Journal # Chauncey Billups said he typically keeps his hotel room TV tuned into ESPN on the road. But he's got his eyes locked to the scrolling ticker even more so now that Iverson's officially on the block. "I think it's going to rejuvenate his mind and his soul to the game," Billups said, "just having a new situation. It's something that they probably both need." -- Detroit Free Press # The Minnesota Timberwolves have been listed among the suitors for Allen Iverson ... Timberwolves coach Dwane Casey said the speculation hasn't been a distraction for the team. "I refuse to even talk about it," Casey said. "That's not even my department." -- San Antonio Express-News</div> Appears the offers are getting worse for the 76ers since the start of all the rumors came about. The 76ers played this wrong and have lost any leverage to negotiate.
I would like to see him in Minnesota, however I think he will end up in Denver with the deal mentioned above going down
<div class="quote_poster">Smitty Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I'm really getting tired of waiting..it'll be New Years by the time a deal gets done..seriously lol.</div> I wouldn't be surprised if it dragged into the summer. It would give teams a better chance to evaluate their situation, figure out what the cap number is going to be for next season, and make any additional moves to accomodate or Iverson. Philly could careless, the more games they lose, the better their odds are at winning the lottery and the Greg Oden Sweepstakes.
^ I think the fact that the top rumor today is that proposed deal w/ Denver and Portland should be enough to tell us that this ain't gonna be quick. I can't possibly see that deal happening; Joe Smith and Magloire are expiring contracts, but I don't think the Sixers would make this trade with anyone unless they'd get some type of good young player in return. There aren't going to be many big name young free agents next year, so the Sixers shouldn't be looking to trade Iverson solely for cap relief; they need talent, too.
<div class="quote_poster">Schaddy Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">^ I think the fact that the top rumor today is that proposed deal w/ Denver and Portland should be enough to tell us that this ain't gonna be quick. I can't possibly see that deal happening; Joe Smith and Magloire are expiring contracts, but I don't think the Sixers would make this trade with anyone unless they'd get some type of good young player in return. There aren't going to be many big name young free agents next year, so the Sixers shouldn't be looking to trade Iverson solely for cap relief; they need talent, too.</div> I'm sure there's more to the deal for example Denver's two draft picks. Being able to dump Nene and acquire Iverson makes Denver the clear cut winner in this trade. Maybe Portland sends out a player to Philly as well like Travis Outlaw, Juan Dixon, or Sergio Rodriguez. EDIT: Wanted to add, I have no idea why Portland makes this trade. They have Joel P, Aldridge, and ZBo in the frontcourt already, Nene would just add to the logjam.
^ Absolutely right about Portland. I've been confused by their drafting and trading lately, and this would be just another lateral move for them. I don't think that franchise's brass has a clue where they want to take the team. Does Denver have 2 first rounders this year? If so, that makes the trade much more tantilizing for the Sixers. I just don't see the wisdom in it if they aren't getting a couple picks at the very least, you know? I guess after watching teams like the Hawks make trades with the expressed goal of getting cap space the past couple years, I'm worried for the sake of other teams doing the same thing. Have the Hawks become a playoff team due to dumping all their salaries? Maybe, just maybe this year, in an awful Eastern conference. But overall, I don't feel like throwing money at a problem makes it better. Larry Harris has made the same mistake with the Bucks; you don't get better by spending, you get better by trading and drafting smart. But maybe I'm just an overly conservative armchair GM
I am really surprised no one has the same mentality Pat Riley has about Iverson. There are a lot of teams in both Conferences who are a player away of making the next step. Allen Iverson is a difference maker on the court, and like we saw with Shaq, a change of environment is going to re-energize Iverson. At this point in his career it's all about winning a championship, and Iverson is going to be the player he needs to be to acheive that goal. I actually wouldn't be surprised if Pat Riley ends up with Iverson. He's always been willing to mortgage his young pieces to acquire veteran talent. I also wouldn't be surprised if the Lakers make serious run at Iverson. These two franchises have that killer mentality and don't mind gambling long term rebuilding on short term success. It is extremely rare for players of Iverson's caliber to come available, and I'm just amazed he's still in Philly.
Hmm I'm not sure how AI would coexist with Wade becuase Wade is similar to Allen so he needs the ball the way Allen needs the ball to be effective. But stil AI-Shaq-Wade would be dangerous.
Of course Iverson can co-exist with Wade. Both are effective with the ball, but let's not forget, Iverson is one of the best players in the league at moving without the basketball. When Larry Brown coached Philly, Iverson would come off double screens and get backcut layups in Brown's offensive system. Iverson also did a lot of creating off the dribble, but he's highly effective in getting free and then scoring. The way played for Brown, is similar to what Rip did in Brown's system. Flash from the side to side and run his defender into screens. Bringing Iverson to Miami would rejuvenate the team. They have been flat this year and don't seem to have a hunger anymore. But if you bring Iverson in there, their entire team goal will be predicated on winning a Championship for AI. I just don't know what Miami can bring to the trade table. The 76ers would want no part of Antoine Walker. <u>Trade Assests Miami Can Offer</u> Dorrell Wright, Wayne Simien, 2008 draft pick (you can't trade back to back picks, so they can't trade their 2007 draft pick), Posey, Doleac, White Chocolate
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I wouldn't be surprised if it dragged into the summer. It would give teams a better chance to evaluate their situation, figure out what the cap number is going to be for next season, and make any additional moves to accomodate or Iverson. Philly could careless, the more games they lose, the better their odds are at winning the lottery and the Greg Oden Sweepstakes.</div> That may be for the best if it happens, but I don`t think I can handle the rest season just hearings "Wheres he going?" 24/7. The sooner, the better for all of this.
I'm not sure I can bring myself to root for Iverson if he gets traded to the Heat. Even though thats probably the best chance he has of getting a championship.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I wouldn't be surprised if it dragged into the summer. It would give teams a better chance to evaluate their situation, figure out what the cap number is going to be for next season, and make any additional moves to accomodate or Iverson. Philly could careless, the more games they lose, the better their odds are at winning the lottery and the Greg Oden Sweepstakes.</div> Could the Sixers de-activiate Iverson until summer? That would mean Iverson missing basically the rest of the entire NBA season. Although I do want the Sixers to get a good package in return for AI, holding him out until summer is just uncharacteristic, and disrespectful for someone who sacrifised everything for the organization
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Could the Sixers de-activiate Iverson until summer? That would mean Iverson missing basically the rest of the entire NBA season. Although I do want the Sixers to get a good package in return for AI, holding him out until summer is just uncharacteristic, and disrespectful for someone who sacrifised everything for the organization</div> Technically they can, just like what Chicago did with Tim Thomas, and what Indiana did with Ron Artest. Obviously there is a lot more to the story than what the media has talked about. There must have been a huge fallout that took place to prompt Philly to take such a drastic position on Iverson.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Technically they can, just like what Chicago did with Tim Thomas, and what Indiana did with Ron Artest. Obviously there is a lot more to the story than what the media has talked about. There must have been a huge fallout that took place to prompt Philly to take such a drastic position on Iverson.</div> Well, Artest was traded by the trade deadline to the Kings, and wasn't Thomas traded at the deadline to the Suns? Anyways, if the Sixers organization were to hold AI out from playing for a whole NBA season, couldn't Iverson appeal to the league and ask them to make the Sixers release him from his contract? It's hard to imagine the Sixers holding out Iverson for an entire season, without him seeing anymore playing time on court. Wouldn't that be against the rules??
Man I am seriously tired of these Iverson rumors. Some kind of trade needs to happen, because this is sort of taking too long.
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well, Artest was traded by the trade deadline to the Kings, and wasn't Thomas traded at the deadline to the Suns? Anyways, if the Sixers organization were to hold AI out from playing for a whole NBA season, couldn't Iverson appeal to the league and ask them to make the Sixers release him from his contract? It's hard to imagine the Sixers holding out Iverson for an entire season, without him seeing anymore playing time on court. Wouldn't that be against the rules??</div> I don't see why they couldn't do that. It's the same as listing a scrub player as inactive. As long as they have a good reason (he'd disrupt team chemistry or something like that), Iverson's superstar status wouldn't make a difference. Kind of reminds me of Terrell Owens, which was ironically with another Philadelphia team.
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Well, Artest was traded by the trade deadline to the Kings, and wasn't Thomas traded at the deadline to the Suns? Anyways, if the Sixers organization were to hold AI out from playing for a whole NBA season, couldn't Iverson appeal to the league and ask them to make the Sixers release him from his contract? It's hard to imagine the Sixers holding out Iverson for an entire season, without him seeing anymore playing time on court. Wouldn't that be against the rules??</div> I believe Tim Thomas was cut by the Bulls or agreed to a buyout.
