Rumor: Warriors' Youth + Bad Contract for Allen Iverson

by Atma Brother ONE on Jul 9, 2006 3:29 PM PDT in News

From Peter May of the Boston Globe:

The Celtics are thought to be one of three teams known to be in pursuit of Iverson, along with the Nuggets and Warriors. But the Sixers weren't moved by any of Denver's proposals because Philly wants young players and all the Nuggets have talked about are Kenyon Martin, Nene, Andre Miller, and Marcus Camby. Denver doesn't have the package of promising youth that the Celtics and Warriors could offer. Golden State, for instance, has Ike Diogu, Mikael Pietrus, Andris Biedrins, and Monta Ellis to possibly entice the Sixers. All are 24 or younger. But the Warriors would need to add one of their high-salaried underachievers to make the deal cap-friendly. The Warriors were apparently able to move one bad contract, Derek Fisher's, to Utah for three NBDL-type bodies. The Celtics would still like to get a third team involved in the Iversonpalooza.

Pick any 2 of {Ike, MP2, One Minute Man, Monta} + One ridiculous Chris and Rod contract for future Hall of Famer Allen Iverson?

I like Air France (youth), Ike (youth), Monta (youth), T-Double (big contract), Foyle (vastly overpaid), Mike Dun-nothing (embarrassing signing) as much as the next insane Warrior fan, but that has to be the most lopsided trade in the history of the NBA. It's too good to be true.

Billy King, the Sixers' GM, should be fired on the spot if he makes that Allen Iverson trade or any with division rival Boston Celtics for their unproven youth. That's reminiscent of the Charles Barkley to the Suns for Jeff Hornacek and some change trade back in the early 90's.

Could it be our turn to swindle the Sixers into a historic rip-off?

But let's say it's really on the table... Sure AI's not 24, but who cares? AI's still in his prime and his contract has only 3 years left on it. Compare that to Troy Murphy who has 5 years left on his deal, Foyle who has 3 (there's no way the Warriors are stupid enough to pick up the 4th year at over $10.5 million), and Dunleavy (the 5 year 44 million dollar robbery kicks in next year). Remember Allen Iverson is coming off a season in which he averaged 33 points, over 7 dimes, and nearly 2 thefts. No one on the Warriors and no one in the league except maybe former Warrior Gilbert Arenas, Lebron James, and Dwyane Wade could dream of attaining those numbers. Because expiring contracts are so valued in the NBA, AI could easily be traded in the third and final year of his contract. Even if the Warriors can't trade him in that final year, a full season of AI is far from bad for the fans and for the Warriors' salary cap with nearly $22 million coming off the books.

Iverson's not young anymore, but he's still got plenty of game left!

If the Warriors can trade some of their overrated youth and one of the aforementioned bloated contracts for The Answer, it's a no brainer. Plain and simple. The Warriors have to pull the trigger on that trade. It's a win-win situation.

AI makes the Warriors legitimate. It's similar to how former Warrior Chris Webber (man, these former Warriors have sure done wonders for other franchises) put the Sacramento Kings on the map. Having Iverson on the Warriors, even if it's only for 2-3 years, gets the team on national TV more and makes them a more attractive free agent destination.

If this Allen Iverson trade is on the table, pull the trigger NRA style! (We do not endorse any violence of any kind! It's just a goofy line.)

Mark Heisler of the LA Times pours more kerosene on our bonfire:

The line for Iverson starts here, or should.

Right now, the leading bidders look like Boston (offering Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, or anyone but Paul Pierce), Atlanta (Josh Smith, Marvin Williams and/or Al Harrington) and Golden State (pick any three).

It would be an awful PR move for the 76ers to trade Allen Iverson within their division (Celtics) or even in the same conference (Hawks). They have to be cognizant of this and be thinking West. There's no other wilder Western landmark in the NBA than the Bay Area!

Would you trade any 2 of Pietrus, Ellis, Diogu, and Biendrins plus either Foyle, Dunleavy, or Murphy for Allen Iverson? Why or why not? Let's keep the great discussions going strong!

Also see:

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

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Comments

keep ellis and biedrins please

hopefully they do a trade that let's the warriors keep ellis and biedrins

by Five Ten Entertainment on Jul 9, 2006 3:53 PM PDT reply actions

maybe

Biedrins + Pietrus + Murphy for AI

Biedrins isn't that impressive. He loves the game but he sucks at it. He also loves fouling.

by chimp on Jul 9, 2006 4:12 PM PDT reply actions

dont do it

i think its rather impressive that j-rich and baron can play together, let alone another guy who wants his 30 points a game, i think murphy and foyle need to go, same with dunleavy

biedrins is still young and could be something, monte has looked good, ike hasnt had a chance at his natural position, hes not a center and pietrus actually plays defense

by badnamedwarriorfan on Jul 9, 2006 4:24 PM PDT reply actions

Sounds good...However...

I don't think Murphy would be a part of that package...Latest news says that the warriors and hawks are close to a sign and trade deal involving Murphy and Harrington. If the sixers are still willing to take any package that does not involve J-Rich then I'm all for it...I can picture it now...

PG Baron Davis
SG Allen Iverson
SF Jason Richardson
PF Al Harrington
C Ike Diogu

by ON THE RUN on Jul 9, 2006 4:27 PM PDT reply actions

What?

Ike as center?

I'm all for the trade, since our team sucks and has too many players. Hands off J-Rich, though. Hopefully Baron too.

Trading away a huge contract (Dun-Dun) and Biedrins + Pietrus or something? That'd be quite a deal.

by Yoyo on Jul 9, 2006 4:47 PM PDT reply actions

There are no untouchables on this team!

I'd trade anyone to get Iverson! But I do like JRich, Monta Ellis, and Ike and hope one of or all of them can stay. Biedrins is okay too.

by kirkkazas on Jul 9, 2006 4:57 PM PDT reply actions

Why? To Many Shooters.

Why would you want another shooter on a team who all they do is shoot perimeter shots. Iverson is one of my favorite players and it would be kewl to have him, but why? He'll jus take away shots from everyone else and jus like he did 2 Andre in philly he will take J-Rich and Barons shots away. U will have 2 guys in Baron and Iverson who will want tha ball and all I see is trouble coming from that.

by JRichIsStillAGodButBiedrinsIsABeast on Jul 9, 2006 5:30 PM PDT reply actions

I take back my last comment!!!! haha

After giving it some thought i came to conclusion that they SHOULDNT go after A.I. The same players we would offer to Philly should be offered to Indiana for Jermaine Oneal!!! Our need is at Center. You remember how Iverson took philly to the championships but were manhandled by Shaq. Forget Iverson and go for J. O'neal!!!

by ON THE RUN on Jul 9, 2006 6:23 PM PDT reply actions

If that's all it takes...

Before I was against the acquisition of AI, but if all it takes to pry him away is MP2, One Minute Man, and Dunleavy.

PULL THE FREAKIN' TRIGGER! (We basically give up nothing in this trade IMO)

Starting:
PG - Baron
SG - AI
SF - J-Rich
PF - Diogu
C - POB

That's the team I'd watch! (If I could, but nooo... locally I'm forced to watch the Kings, somebody weep for me)

by DividedByZero on Jul 9, 2006 7:37 PM PDT reply actions

This Cant Be Real

I would trade every single player mentioned for Iverson in a flash. This is ridiculous if it actually happens. I like all the young guys as much as everyone else, but Iverson is one of the best to ever play the game, and none of the young guys are even starters on one of the worst teams in pro sports.

This is a no brainer.

David Wood played like a man possessed.

by Mike T on Jul 9, 2006 7:40 PM PDT reply actions

J-Rich or bust

I can't see 76er's gving up AI unless they get J-Rich in the deal. Pick one: Ike who is undersized but young and promising enough be a back-up to Webber. Monta who is just a kid who hasn't done anything yet - he's got value.

Foyle maybe added to make it worth GSW to dump some salary and for the 76ers, in the Eastern Conference, a Center like Foyle would have greater value.

Three guys who will not be traded to the 76ers:
Andris can't even score in the summer league.
Troy duplicates Webber's PF position -- too much $$ to tie-up in PFs.
Dunleavy is basically untradeable this year.

by joe sez on Jul 9, 2006 7:56 PM PDT reply actions

i can see this working now

i know i went against this earlier because i thought there would be too many guys wanting the ball but it could work, AI is getting old and could be getting into the mode of "i need to win the title asap" and the warriors are kinda close if they add ai and all harrington
Lineup
Pg:Baron
SG:AI
SF:Richardson (not his native position but hes athletic which makes up for it)
PF:Harrington (size doesnt matter to much, look at diaw)
C: Diogu, POB,Biendrins, whoever

by badnamedwarriorfan on Jul 9, 2006 8:37 PM PDT reply actions

Re: J-Rich or Bust?

Three guys who will not be traded to the 76'ers???

Dunleavy - Untradeable? He can be traded. It's just finding the right team to take on his contract...maybe reunite him with his dad in LA for Maggete who wants out.

Andris Biedrins - The 76'ers were high on this guy in 2004 and any package sent to Philly might involve Andris.

The sixers have already said any deal involving Iverson would require some young talent which both the W's and Celtics have.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIG MISTAKE. MULLIN SHOULD START OFFERING A DEAL TO THE PACERS FOR ONEAL.

A Package of Foyle, Biedrins, Ike and Monta can get Jermaine O'neal. Real Gm Trade I.D.3259365

by ON THE RUN on Jul 9, 2006 8:46 PM PDT reply actions

o'neal better fit than ai

i agree with on the run that oneal would be better

if they add al harrington they could be able to run alot better
pg:baron
sg:j-rich
sf:pietrus
pf:harrington
c:o'neal

they wouldnt be a force inside but they could run, be alot like the suns but possibly better D

by badnamedwarriorfan on Jul 9, 2006 8:52 PM PDT reply actions

do it, do it

it isn't possible to get both a.i. and al harrington, both teams want troy murphy. And have you guys ever thought about getting a.i. and then trading him to a team for a kevin garnett or jermaine o'neal and more?

by cantfindanname on Jul 9, 2006 8:56 PM PDT reply actions

i dont see it happening like that

First of all, if this trade is on the table and chris and rod don't take it i don't know what i'd do. It definitely seems sort of kind of possible. The sixers obviously aren't winning with AI, and the could use some youth. And obviously the sixers have no problem with taking on bloated contracts (as shown with dalembert, and webber). But i have to ask why? i mean is this really gonna seriously improve this team? no! so i don't think so. I could see maybe a BD for iverson with some things on the side. BD is a good point you still has some youth and for the warriors AI is a lot less injury prone. so that could work