Golden State Of Mind: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: The cost of firing vs. the cost of retaining head coaches

GSoM Talks to Preetom Bhattacharya about Allen Iverson Rumors

GSoM friend Preetom Bhattacharya writes for Basketball News Services, which powers HoopsWorld.com, SWISH Magazine, and The Five Star Basketball Report. He's always got his ear connected to the latest happenings in the NBA.

With all the Allen Iverson rumors floating around the net and Jim Gray having conversations with AI imposters, I couldn't resist asking the man for his insights on the topic. I wanted to throw out the boldest Allen Iverson to the Warriors trade scenario that I could dig up. The most provocative rumor I could find came way of the WarriorsWorld message board from a poster called Turtle:

This is from my source. 4 way deal in the works. GS/Philly/NY/Memp

GS
In: Iverson
Out: Jrich/Troy

Philly
In: Murphy/Eddie Jones/Steve Francis
Out: Webber/Iverson

NY
In: Webber
Out: Jerome James/Francis

Memp
In: Jrich/Jerome James
Out: Eddie Jones

Here's what Preetom had to say about the rumored blockbuster deal:

That deal is NOT going to happen.

1) From everyone I've spoken with, the Sixers do want to trade both Iverson and Webber together. Unfortunately for them, Webber is wanted by only one team - the Free Agents. NO ONE wants to touch Webber's deal at all and trading him is almost beyond hope. Not even Isiah would take him.

2a) Isiah especially won't take him if it means he loses Francis. Francis has played well for the Knicks and has become a leader for them. He's doing everything the team has asked of him and has been almost the ideal locker room guy. He's taken on the responsibility of teaching things to some of the players so Isiah can focus on other things.

2b) Isiah especially ESPECIALLY won't take him because of what they're going through with the crowd and stuff in MSG. He's not going to give the fans another reason to boo.

3) The Sixers want a package with some mix of the following three things: a) quality youth, b) favorable contracts (meaning expiring or bargain players) and c) draft picks. A collection of Eddie Jones, Steve Francis, and Troy Murphy has no youth to it. Sure, they get an expiring deal, but they're stuck long-term with Francis and Murphy, neither of which are bargains or draft picks ..

4) Really? Memphis taking in two expensive, long-term deals when the team is in the midst of being sold and losing millions of dollars? My source with a West team told me the Grizz just want Jones to expire and get under the cap and just sit on it. I believe him - they're losing money and being sold (to an ownership group that values cheap players).

5) Nelson would HATE a player like Iverson. With his best teams in Milwaukee and Dallas, they had balanced scoring without a player that really dominated the ball like Iverson does. He isn't going to change regardless of how desperate the Warriors are.

Look, the Warriors had some interest but quickly realized they just didn't have what it took. The package the Sixers would want in return, theoretically, would be a young player (Ellis or Pietrus or Ike or Biedrins), Jason Richardson, and a draft pick of some sort. That basically gives the Sixers a nice mix of security and savings - they're saving money with a good player in Richardson and a cheap young guy that they can assess and do whatever they want with and can get whatever they want from a cheap draft pick.

Richardson would definitely be a part of the deal as opposed to Murphy for the Sixers because they'll need to put asses in the seats somehow and a fringe superstar is what they'll want in return, not a solid role player like Murph. Another possibility could be something like JRich and Murph straight up, but I don't know if the Sixers want to put their money into TWO players like that - it's about the financial stuff at that point, because the collection of players should get it done. That's just asking too much from both teams.

Also, don't forget that the Sixers are almost always on sale. Finances are important.

Lastly .. keep an eye on the Charlotte Bobcats. They are SO FAR under the cap that they can absorb up to ten million dollars without giving up much at all, so they're almost in the driver's seat. I'm hearing Brevin Knight, Gerald Wallace, Sean May, and a pick is what they are offering.

That's a lot of good stuff to think about for a Monday morning. Special thanks to Preetom for working the phones hard and giving GSoM an insider perspective.


For more on The Answer:

99% of rumors never happen, but 99% of them are fun to talk about!

 

0 recs  |  Comment 4 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Ben Maller: AI to NorCal
Kings: the most obvious deal would likely involve the swapping of point guards. Kings point guard Mike Bibby -- who has an early termination option on his contract that would allow him to become a free agent after this season despite two seasons being left on his deal -- is owed $12.5 million for this season. Including the $18.2 million Iverson will make this season, his deal has three seasons and approximately $59 million remaining. The Kings would have to add a piece or two to make the deal work ... five players with expiring contracts that could be attractive to Philadelphia, allowing them to clear up salary cap space for next season: Corliss Williamson, Jason Hart, Vitaly Potapenko, Ronnie Price and Maurice Taylor. ... Plus, Ron Artest loves Iverson. A long shot, of course, but you never know with the Kings' owners, the Maloof brothers.

Bulls: Chicago could send the expiring contracts of forwards P.J. Brown and Michael Sweetney, with guard Ben Gordon and a first-round pick to Philly for Iverson. Their brass will meet today but appear unlikely to make such a move.

Dallas: The Mavs could send the expiring contracts of Jerry Stackhouse and Austin Croshere, along with point guard Devin Harris. Problem? Owner Mark Cuban loves Harris and doesn't want any debate as to whether it will be Dirk Nowitzki's team.

Boston: Coach Doc Rivers is willing to surrender anyone other than Paul Pierce for Iverson. That includes Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair and forward Al Jefferson, if necessary. But Danny Ainge is running the show, and it's unclear what he'll be willing to do. Plus, Wally Szczerbiak or Theo Ratliff would have to come to Philly in order to make a deal work.

Golden State: Mike Dunleavy Jr., Troy Murphy or Jason Richardson would have to come to Philly to make a deal happen, but the Sixers would love to get their hands on Monta Ellis. The Warriors say they're not about to part with Ellis, but everyone talks that nonsense before a deal gets done.

Timberwolves: They barely have anyone the Sixers want, outside of Villanova product Randy Foye. Minnesota swears it's not about to let him go. We'll see.

Clippers: The Sixers shouldn't even talk to them unless they're willing to part with Corey Maggette and Shaun Livingston, which they are not willing to do.

Grizzlies: Eddie Jones' expiring contract is about the only asset the Grizzlies have to offer. Mike Fratello's toupee will fall off trying to coach Iverson.

http://www.benmaller.com/nba_rumors_notes

by hardcore on Dec 11, 2006 8:56 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

why
dont the warriors trade pietrus and davis for iverson and give them back there draft pick because the warriors cant resign pietrus ellis and biedrins so it would be good to get someone in return for atleast one of them

by bor887 on Dec 11, 2006 10:32 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

NO
I think Iverson is the worst possible add to this team. We need to improve our front court not our back court. Plus AI can't run a team like BD does.

by Psion on Dec 11, 2006 10:49 AM PST reply actions   0 recs

the only thing worse
than trading BD for AI is having them both on the same team - we'd be the Knickswest ... and BD hasn't made good on the the leadership front, flat out hasn't stepped up as "the man" and commanded respect to lead us to the playoffs.

If we can have three years with AI, or three with BD, I'll take AI.

If we can unload two of Mullin's bad contracts for three years of AI, I'll take AI.

The alternative? another year with this roster, not picking up MP's contract, watching the Seattle's of the league beat our porous zone defenses in the 4th quarters, watching the playoffs to find out where the warriors end up in the lottery, again, for the 13th time ... no thanks ...

by hardcore on Dec 11, 2006 6:35 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

"UNSTOPPABLE BABY!"

Golden State Warriors rookie Marc Jackson to the Mavericks' bench, after hitting a lay-up during a 29-point loss (2000)

Start posting about the Warriors »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Small
Matt Steinmetz reports Warriors sign Chris Hunter from D-League
Small
The Thing About Randolph...
76968623_small
Very realistic Monta Ellis trade
484214594_82b6b3554a_small
Stack Jax for Radman: The Numbers
Small
Thank You, Jack

Recent FanPosts

Montadaboss_small
We Still Believe
61g1kk9uxel
What's Anthony Morrow's future role with this team?
Follett_small
With A Valiant Effort the Golden State Warriors Stun the Dallas Mavericks
Hellboy_small
I think it's time that we finally hand over the team to Monta
Small
Wanna see the media notes for the Warriors?
Follett_small
Stephen Jackson is Underappreciated as a Person
Small
With Jackson gone, Curry finds room to operate
Small
I'm in a Guessing State of Mind
Act_marco_belinelli_small
Was Jackson holding Monta back from his full potential?
Follett_small
Monta Ellis and the Warriors Frustrated Brandon Roy and the Trail Blazers

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Ads

SPONSORS

2009-2010 Around the Association

2009-2010 Golden State Warriors Preview

Golden State Warriors 2k9-2k10 Super Preview Blowout Special!


GSoM Crew -------------------------

Atma-160_small Atma Brother ONE

Gw090_small Fantasy Junkie

--------------------------------------------------------

Small Hash

Small dj fuzzylogic

--------------------------------------------------------

We_still_believe_small R Dizzle

Small Adam Lauridsen

Chef_randolph_gs_small Tony.psd

Japan_by_miaumi_small YaoButtaMing

Small jae