I didn't cover the AI trade situation this morning, but I've been watching the Wizards-Sixers game tonight, and there was the most candid interview I've ever seen. The Sixers owner just flat-out acknowledged that (a) AI asked for a trade, (b) he'll accommodate him, and (c) he's played his last game as a Sixer. What a refreshing comparison to his GM and coach, who dissembled all day.
But that's neither here nor there (sort of like those freakish gold Wiz unis). Here's my question for you:
What trade makes the most sense, both to the team that will acquire AI and for the Sixers to attempt to start to rebuild in the post-AI era?
(Meanwhile, I've been advocating that the Sixers trade AI for at least three years, despite the fact that he's one of the most entertaining players in the NBA and one of the few most fans would agree is worth paying to watch. Let's hope he lands in an interesting situation.)
Look forward to reading your trade scenarios in the comments section, and have safe and enjoyable weekends.
-- D.S.
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24 comments:
Dan you missed the most interesting aspect which was that the Sixers seem willing to add Igouldala and/or Dalembert in any trade with Iverson or Webber.
I think that adds a whole new level to this possible scenario and I'll throw it out there first - a team with a lot of young players, moveable cap, and draft picks they dont really need which would be a good home for Iverson would be the Celtics.
I definitely think the Sixers should trade Iverson to the Timberwolves, just for the pure joy of seeing the results of a Billy King - Kevin McHale trade. It could be the only trade in history where both teams end up worse.
Plus, there's the added benefit that Kevin Garnett and Allen Iverson, both famously competitive, might beat Mark Blount to death sometime in February.
I would say he'd be a perfect backcourt mate for Marbury and Francis, but that just makes too much sense.
How about to LA teaming up with Kobe or to Denver with Melo or to Cleveland with Lebron? I have no clue about the contracts and all of the cap issues, so I can't figure out a deal. I'll leave that last part for someone who pays more attention to the NBA.
In no particular order here..
1) Timberwolves -- if KG is happy now, what would he be if he had another top 10 player running with him?
2) Clippers -- word is they were looking to get mike miller from the grizz, but AI is def a better scoring option (trading options include livingston, magette, and a deep bench)
3) Celtics -- tons of tradebait, Green, Jefferson, picks, etc. this is the obvious bet because of the offseason rumors
4) Knicks -- the only GM dumber than King is probably Isiah. watch him offer channing frye, david lee, a 1st rounder, etc for AI
FYI...use www.realgm.com to check your trade scenarios.
As a Cavs fan I have a feeling Ferry will not be on the phone as he feels our chemistry is too good, not to mention the fact that we do not have that many tradeable assets.
For shits and giggles I tried this trade on realgm and it came out successful.
Trade ID: 3477743
Cleveland gets: Iverson
Philly gets: Hughes, Gibson, Varejao
Cavs obviously benefit from getting a superstar caliber player to pair with LeBron.
They give up Hughes who when healthy is a really good player (though hasn't played 60 games in a season forever).
Philly also gets two young kids:
V shores up the Philly frontcourt (Webber is aging), they do have Carney, but why not have more than one serviceable 4. Plus he seems to have some trade value if they want to pawn him off.
Gibson was a second round pick this past Summer and is highly unproven, but in his first start of the season this past week he looked really good.
i was all about AI when he was at georgetown.... but after living in philly for awhile during college, i pretty much got over him. he's entertaining to watch, but annoys the crap out of me. I think he needs to go to a team with a big name, but younger guy... Like Jon, i know nothing about the NBA or any of the logistics or $$ involved in trades... but I think if he gets mixed in w/ some young blood, it could be an entertaining (if volatile) fit.
Oh god, this is easy. AI needs to go to Miami, immediately.
Shaq will sit out half the year & only start to warm up as the playoffs approach, AI can skip as many practices as he wants during the regular season because the East is terrible, and they'll be primed for a title defense.
But seriously - why doesn't anyone think Miami is a great fit?
No way AI could co-exist with Shaq AND D Wade. Plus that's an awfully tiny backcourt. And I'm not sure that it would work in Cleveland with LeBron, though I would LOVE to see that happen.
I think that AI would be best playing with a huge point guard (like young Livingston in LA) - then he can play the 2 on offense and still guard the opposing team's 1.
Personally, I'd like to see him rejuvenate KG in Minny - they both deserve better, and I think that might totally work. I'm praying he doesn't end up in Boston, because I hate the Celtics with a passion...
I really don't see too many teams capable of making a trade work with the cap. There really aren't too many teams with high priced players on the last year of their contract.
The Sixers will be lucky to get any kind of young player(s) in return for AI. They really need to shed all their bad contracts (if that's even possible, not even Isiah is dumb enough to take Webber) and start completely over like Denver did a few years ago.
Billy King should be gone. Mo Cheeks should be gone. He has now coached the Blazers and Sixers right into the ground in the last few years. I'd try to keep Iguodala and see if he can polish up his offense while being the main man on a shitty team. The Sixers should be aiming for 2009 to be competitive. It's gonna get real ugly
No way he goes to Cleveland. Not enough shots to go around. I could see him going to Portland or something for Jarrett Jack, that high school shooting guard(drawing a blank on names) and an expiring contract, which would only make his life worse. Haha wouldn't that suck leave one team for a worse one. Charlotte would be an awesome spot but they don't have the contracts to match up. They should sign Sprewell for 20 mil then trade him and a few first rounders, Sprewell's deal will end at the end of the year and they will have the first round picks plus cap space. Sacramento could be a place, or Golden State for Dunleavy and a few picks.
I love the idea of him playing with KG, and -- if I was Philly -- I'd take local Philly hero Randy Foye for AI, straight up. (Yes, I know I still have to make the salary numbers work. But my point is that, all finances equal, I'd swap AI for Foye and be happy if I'm the Sixers, even though it's trading one smallish combo guard for another...and the one I'm giving up is the most prolific scorer under 6-6 in the history of the NBA.)
AI is going to Orlando Magic. Please God. It could make good sense. We could get rid of Darko/Hedo, Carlos Arroyo, and maybe a JJ Reddick.
AI for Foye makes perfect sense especially since Minnesota's coach is letting him rot on the bench.
Minnesota would probably have to give up Blount and Hassell cause of their contracts, but Craig Smith and AI would fill those 2 spots. Not sure what other little pieces would have to be involved.
this deal should have happened 3 years ago, when he had the value to command prime selection. I'm not so sure other teams are going to be that quick to part with prime talent or high draft picks for a non practicing hard to deal with guy. Don't get me wrong, the guy is a player amongst players, but one guy doesnt win the ring.
Something about his "me vs. the world" thing just doesnt work for me.
dallas, san antonio, phoenix, LAL, detroit and miami are non-possibilities, since he would completely F up their chemistry. Of course it would be awesome to see him pair up with KG, and foye would be a good guy to get back to philly. I think philly will shy away from a trade to other atlantic division teams (although ainge might throw a lot at them for the chance).
The trade I'm hoping for is LAC. If they had a consistently explosive offensive player, they might be able to contend with dallas, phoenix, and san antonio for the conference championship (as well as with the Lakeshow for the hearts and minds of their city). Brand alone guarantees them a bottom four seed in the west for the next five years, but they have no chance of winning that stacked conference without another stud (and sorry, Clips fans, but it doesn't look like it's going to be livingston).
I agree with Steelers... any teams with chemistry or have a great chance at winning won't look to get him because he can be problems. Only teams that are looking to get over the hump will try for him
(eliminates dallas, san ant, phoenix, lakers, miami)
Eliminate teams that have a great number 1 scorer because you can't have 2 stars competing for shots
(eliminates lakers, cavs, nets, atlanta, milwaukee, washington, seattle, golden state, houston, denver)
Eliminate teams that are building for the future with rookies because Philly will want them
(eliminate portland, charlotte)
that leaves us with these teams, and a few sleepers
1) minnesota - ai + garnett would make them a top team instantly
2) boston - they looked at him over the summer, so why not again
3) clippers - have the trading power with a deep bench and a few young players, but with the likes of cassell, brand, etc they want to win now
4) knicks - anything isiah can do to try and save face and get people interested, and AI would do that, but at what cost?
5) chicago - they need a scorer to help them out, rest of team can make up for AI's lack of D
6) orlando - top 3 team in the east, but they need a scorer, grant hill is on the way out, so AI + dwight howard (Think young KG) could be a nasty combo - but dont trade darko, he's getting there
7)New Orleans (CP gets a shooter to dish to, so CP averages 15 asst/gm)
Hey Jason....I'm not sure how the Pacers could pull off trading Tinsley and the backup running back for the Rams....but hey...if they can..then I say go for it
First,
Jon Marthaler - your whole comment was hilarious.
Second, I think Chicago has the young talent, cap space, and draft picks to pull something off but I don't think the chemistry would be there with Scott Skiles and AI. Most consistent team I have heard is Minnesota.
OK, as one of the few real NBA fans left, here's how I see it.
Chicago has no scorers on their team. None. AI is a great scorer.
Ben Gorgon led them in scoring last year, off the bench. They got Ben Wallace who actually comes up if you google "Antonym for scorer".
If they need to rope a third team in to make this trade hapen, so be it. But they need AI. Not a little, A LOT.
Right now they are 10-9. Sure they've won 7 in a row, but thet are still terrible on the road.
They have Gordon and Ty Thomas to give up and maybe even one of their 1st round picks.
Anybody who knows the NBA knows that if there's a scorer on the market, Chicago better go knocking.
Notice how you can post about football (college or the NFL) and get 100-200-300 posts in a day... but you leave a NBA post up, and you're struggling to get past 20 posts?
I used to think my personal progression was NFL-NCAA Hoops-CFB-MLB-NBA-NHL. 4 sports: Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Hockey.
These days, with the degradation of the MLB because of steroid use and ridiculous contracts, and the thuggery/even more ridiculous contracts of the NBA, I'm thinking this is the new progression:
NFL-NCAA Hoops-CFB-WSOP Poker-Bass Fishing-Bowling-Seinfeld Reruns-Synchronized Underwater Basket Weaving-Watching Grass Grow-whatever else.
The NBA has no talented AND likeable stars outside of Lebron and D-Wade, and most of us are getting sick of Lebron's multi-character ads. That leaves D-Wade, who saw his credibility DROP after landing the "Sportsman of the Year" title. MLB has no appeal outside of a few large cities because it allows teams to play $51.1 million just for the right to negotiate a deal with a player (i.e., the rich get richer.)
Forget the Big Four. All of a sudden, all we have is the NFL, NCAA Hoops, CFB, and.... and... and.... and what? Roger F'ing Federer? Tiger "I play when I want to play" Woods? NASCAR?
There's a reason that ESPN hit it big with Poker... and that is because nothing else besides the new "Big Three" is worth watching. Between the NFL draft and the 3rd pre-season NFL game, there isn't a compelling sport going on.
Someone, please, restore some dignity to the rest of sport.
Jon stole my thunder...the only thing the Knicks need right now is another overpaid guard with an additude....perfect fit!! I happen to like AI, he plays with heart...but it isn't beyond Isaih to do that deal. A bag of balls has a chance to make it to the knicks, only if it makes a max contract and is atleast 2-3 years over the hill.
I think whatever happens, it's a foregone conclusion that the KNICKS end up with the ultimate shootfirstlowpercentageshouldabeenapointguardtooshort shooting guard AI. It's the ultimate in choosing ticket sales over franchise future. So it's perfect for NY. They'd practically give us AI if we take Webber, too (which would also be perfect).
Allen, it's your destiny. Embrace it. This entire franchise has been building up to this moment for 5 years! COME TO ME!!!
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