From Peter May of the Boston Globe:
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:
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: