Im sure everyone's anxious to find out where Allen Iverson ends up. His name has been taken off of his locker and he's been asked to sit out until a trade is finalized.
Here's the most recent gossip:
- Boston is still one of the front runners. They're offering everyone but Paul Pierce and apparently Gerald Green. An offer is said to be on the table, where Philadelphia would receive Al Jefferson, Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff and either Delonte West or a first round draft pick.
- The LA Clippers have supposedly offered some combination of Corey Maggette, Sam Cassell, Zeljko Rebraca and a first round draft pick for Iverson. Elton Brand, Shaun Livingston and Chris Kaman are 100% untouchable.
- The Kings have apparently dangled Mike Bibby out there for Iverson in some sort of package deal.
- A source says that the Nuggets may have made an offer for JR Smith, Nene and Eduardo Najera for Iverson.
- Golden State would like to be involved in an Iverson deal, but not to acquire AI. They're more interested in moving some of their dead-weight contracts.
- Charlotte does not want to mortgage their future on Iverson's huge contract, but have offered to participate as a third team to help make a three-way deal work.
- Dallas is probably out of the picture as they would have to part with Devin Harris in order to get AI.
- Chicago is said to be 100% out of the picture. Both the team owner and Scott Skiles don't want to acquire AI's large contract and attitude.
- The Knicks are out of the Iverson picture according to several sources.
- The Indiana Pacers are dangling Jamaal Tinsley out there along with any player not named Jermaine O'Neal or Danny Granger. They'd really like to be rid of Stephen Jackson.
There's the latest...or at least the latest we've been able to dig up. I also heard that the Sixers have inquired about Seattle Sonics guard, Earl Watson, but it doesn't seem likely that Seattle would be involved in an Iverson deal.
Iverson to Denver
Looks like a relatively simple deal, I'm surprised they didn't need a 2nd team. And that Denver didn't have to give up J.R. Smith, though maybe they don't want him now. A friend of mine is traveling to Denver next week, and I think will be seeing them play the Sonics. He wanted to see Melo play, now he gets AI instead, not bad.
Per Marc Stein,
The trade, pending league approval, some two weeks after Iverson demanded a trade in Philly, would send Andre Miller, Joe Smith and two 2007 first-round picks to the Sixers for Iverson and perhaps another minimum-salaried player or two.
RE: Iverson to Denver
That'll be fun to watch. The Sonics are struggling right now without Ray Allen and just lost in double OT to the Grizzlies. Of course, Pau Gasol is back, but he's not playing like Pau Gasol yet.
AI should be typical AI until Anthony returns. Then it will be interesting to see how those two mesh.
The Sixers were more concerned about landing draft picks and expiring contracts than they were about getting JR Smith. Two first rounders in '07 is not bad at all, considering it's supposed to be a decent draft.
AI
I wish they'd just trade him already. He's sitting on my fantasy bench and it's killing me!
I heard that he'll probably end up in Golden State for Davis, Biedrins and another player. That seems like a lot to offer though. Other rumors are that the top two teams other than Golden State at this point are Indiana and Boston.
The plot thickens...
Thanks for the round-up. And I'm sure there'll be plenty of fantasy implications regardless of where he goes.
I also heard a rumor that, regardless of where he goes, the Bulls might still try to pull off a deal for Garnett. I feel better about obtaining a guy with some size who can score... but either way they'd have to give up some of this great young talent. Paxson, leave our team alone!
Garnett
I heard that too, though looking at what they'd have to give up, I think it'll be really difficult to do. On the trade checker, the only deal I found to work would be for Chicago to send Andres Nocioni or maybe Ben Gordon, along with Tyrus Thomas, Victor Khryapa, and the expiring contracts of PJ Brown, Malik Allen, Michael Sweetney. That's six players...three of whom come off the books after this year. Yeah, I think KG's going to be tough to trade.