[PAmedic]

(in the words of the immortal Harry Kalas)

listened to hours of postulating on this last night- but NBC's Howard Eskin, SCAR's cohort, stating that he is gone this week, poss to Dallas, NY, or LA Clippers. Minnesota was also rumored initially but evidently the GM/president doesn't want the problems AI brings.

AI has been "benched" (read: suspended) by Coach Mo Cheeks indefinitely and will most likely never play in a Sixers uni again, after BS-ing about back spasms and walking off the court last week, then refusing to practice the next day. Typical behavior which we've gotten accustomed to seeing from him, but with which owner Ed Snider is evidently DONE.

At this point we'll be lucky to get (2) 6th-men for him
Stay tuned.

[SuperJon]

Bobcats, please don't take him. I like AI, but not for the Bobcats.

[PAmedic]

problem is, you get AI, AI's attitude, AI's posse, and AI's issues with AI.

not a good deal for anyone.

Another guy that will throw up 50-60 shots a game while his teamates stand around. Not really a point guard, likes to be a shooting guard, not big, but fast and makes people look silly, agitates his teammates and coaches.

and SCAR loves him

[bigsmooth]

probably for the best, but the sixers will continue to suck!

[PAmedic]

ok Punxatawny Whaler- go back to your hole. Spring isn't for another 14 weeks.

[Fumblerooskies]

ok Punxatawny Whaler- go back to your hole.

Nice WHA reference, there, PAMedic.

[PAmedic]

thank you, thank you.

that's why they pay me the big bucks.

[bigsmooth]

im still holding the cup moron!!

[Rocketfan]

(in the words of the immortal Harry Kalas)

listened to hours of postulating on this last night- but NBC's Howard Eskin, SCAR's cohort, stating that he is gone this week, poss to Dallas, NY, or LA Clippers. Minnesota was also rumored initially but evidently the GM/president doesn't want the problems AI brings.

AI has been "benched" (read: suspended) by Coach Mo Cheeks indefinitely and will most likely never play in a Sixers uni again, after BS-ing about back spasms and walking off the court last week, then refusing to practice the next day. Typical behavior which we've gotten accustomed to seeing from him, but with which owner Ed Snider is evidently DONE.

At this point we'll be lucky to get (2) 6th-men for him
Stay tuned.

Medic here are somefun possibilities: From Chris Sheridan ESPN insider
( just the second half of the article)

Sixers chairman Ed Snider has already said definitively that Iverson will be granted his wish and be traded, something Iverson asked for last Monday -- a day after the Sixers lost by 11 at home to Minnesota as Ricky Davis jawed with front-row spectators while scoring 14 fourth-quarter points to lock up the win.


Amid speculation that Davis, or Mike James, and rookie Randy Foye might be the centerpieces of a deal that would send Iverson to Minnesota, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor on Friday night told the St. Paul Pioneer-Press: "There's no trade. It isn't that I don't like him, just money-wise it wouldn't work out."


And although Taylor backed off those comments somewhat on Saturday, ESPN.com's source, who because of his closeness to Iverson was being kept abreast of all developments, indicated the 76ers weren't enamored of either Davis or the additional pieces they'd have to take back from Minnesota to make the salaries match.


Unlike last year's Artest saga, when his relatively small salary ($6.8 million) gave the Pacers a myriad of options to consider, the Sixers have a limited number of proposals to sift through due to the number of players it would take, in most cases, to have salaries that add up within the range ($13.75 million to $21.5 million) of what is needed to match Iverson's salary (he makes $17.2 million this season, $19.1M in 2007-08 and $21.1M in 2008-09) for the trade to work under NBA rules.


The Celtics have the advantage of being able to add Theo Ratliff's $11.7 million contract into the mix, while the Memphis Grizzlies would be one of the few teams able to offer Philadelphia cap relief for next summer through Eddie Jones' expiring $15.7 million contract -- if not for the inconvenient fact that team president Jerry West's hands are tied because of the pending sale of the team, precluding him from making trades.


Dallas also could offer a package starting with two expiring contracts (Jerry Stackhouse and Austin Croshere), as could New Orleans (Desmond Mason and Mark Jackson add up to almost $13 million), while the Charlotte Bobcats are far enough under the salary cap to take back Iverson in a trade in which the salaries would not have to even come close to matching.


Another team that can't be totally dismissed is the New York Knicks, who are in the unique position of being able to take back both Iverson and Chris Webber in a trade. Because the salaries of Iverson and Webber add up to nearly $38 million, the Knicks would have to offer at least $30.4 million worth of contracts back -- a total that could be reached with a package of Steve Francis, Quentin Richardson, Malik Rose and Channing Frye.


And although the Sixers would prefer to trade Iverson to a Western Conference team, they're going to take the best offer that's out there, East or West, even in their

[PAmedic]

we've been thru Stackhouse and Ratliff, and Eskin mentioned one of those other teams- forget if it was LA or Boston- had a kid from 'Nova that we liked on draft day but couldn't get.

the other funny thing was Eskin blaming Matt Geiger for the whole mess (he held up the trade last time they tried it)

[Rocketfan]

we've been thru Stackhouse and Ratliff, and Eskin mentioned one of those other teams- forget if it was LA or Boston- had a kid from 'Nova that we liked on draft day but couldn't get.

the other funny thing was Eskin blaming Matt Geiger for the whole mess (he held up the trade last time they tried it)

Randy Foye from Boston is who you are referring to i think. Geiger quitting was one of the worst things that happened to the Sixers ( but i love when you threw Reggie Miller on his tail, will never forget that )

Bottom line is we need lots of young talent and draft picks ( Greg Oden would be great, but i doubt we can pull off first pick )

The only reason we get Ratliff or Stackhouse is because they are in the final year or there contract so they are just fill ins and may never even be allowed to play on the team this year......its happened before.

[TDDance234]

AI to Minnesota makes the most sense basketball wise. KG is the perfect compliment to AI (of course, a lot of people said that about CWebb, but Webber needs the ball to dominate the offense -- KG does not).

McHale and the TW owner said it wasn't happening but I'd imagine it was just smoke being blown.

[Libertine]

AI to Minnesota makes the most sense.
McHale and the TW owner said it wasn't happening but I'd imagine it was just smoke being blown.

Also McHale is an idiot. So there's that.

[Rocketfan]

Whats the good word - ill post the ESPN insider update as of today.

Three-Team Trade?
Dec 14 - A source said yesterday that the Nuggets might be trying to involve a third team, the Portland Trail Blazers, in the deal. The proposed trade would send forward Nene to the Trail Blazers, who then would ship center Jamaal Magloire to the Sixers.
The Nuggets would send another player, possibly former Sixer Joe Smith, to the Sixers, and the Sixers would direct Iverson to Denver.

The source also said the Warriors might be out of the running for Iverson. -- Philadelphia Inquirer


Hypothetically speaking, Delonte West said he would welcome the chance to play for the Sixers.
"I've grown to love Boston and the Boston fans, but when you have a place in the league, you wouldn't mind coming back home," said West, who is a native of Washington. "Philadelphia is like home to me. If that happened, I'd get ready to eat pretzels and cheesesteaks every day again. But, that's out of my control. Now, I'm wearing the green and white, and wearing the clover, proudly." -- Philadelphia Inquirer


Paul Pierce said he has not talked to Celtics president Danny Ainge in about two weeks, or before the 76ers proclaimed that they will trade Iverson. But Pierce said Ainge understands his position.
"He understands that it can be frustrating for me at times, being on a young team and wanting to win so badly," Pierce said. "I would love to play with a great player. Anytime you get the opportunity to play with a great player, you should want that." -- Wilmington News-Journal

Around the NBA ...


Executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said yesterday he had not talked with Sixers president Billy King for 48 hours. Ainge characterized the chances of a Boston-Philadelphia deal as "slim."
With no deal in sight, Iverson's stock appears to have fallen dramatically. Possible suitors now sound skittish about acquiring the talented but notoriously difficult All-Star guard.

Minnesota, Golden State, and Denver remain the front-runners, with Dallas, Indiana, Chicago, and the Clippers other possibilities. -- Boston Globe


Multiple league sources said yesterday the Celtics remain in the hunt for the soon-to-be ex-Sixers star, who has cleaned out his locker and washed his hands of the only franchise for which he has ever played. Yet Danny Ainge told the Globe's Shira Springer last night his club's chance of pulling off a deal for A.I. were "slim." -- Boston Globe

The Heat contacted the Sixers on Tuesday, a source said, to toss its hat into the Iverson ring. But given what the Heat has to trade, it's unlikely the Sixers will give serious thought to any offer. -- Miami Herald

Apparently the Heat is in the Allen Iverson sweepstakes after all.
"I would be delinquent in my responsibility if I wasn't interested in Allen Iverson," Pat Riley said. "That's all I'm going to say. I'm not going to comment anymore. Just like when (center) Shaquille (O'Neal) came out, I was frothing at the mouth. So my level of interest can be gauged on that comment." -- Palm Beach Post


According to league sources, the Nuggets have quietly but steadfastly worked to close a deal for the 31-year-old star, who was put on the block last week after he demanded a trade.
"We're trying to make our roster better every day. That's our job, to find ways to make the Nuggets better," Denver vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien said Wednesday. "We're sitting here today with a winning record, and I'm here to say we like our team. But here's the simple deal. You look for ways to try to get better, if you can." -- Denver Post


With several players owning contracts that potentially end by 2008 and with two draft picks next year, the Nuggets could put together a package for Allen Iverson that would be attractive to the 76ers.
An NBA source said Wednesday the Nuggets are in the mix for Iverson, who asked to be traded last week. Denver had trade conversations Wednesday with the Sixers, but nothing is imminent. -- Denver Post


This much is known. The Sixers want but won't get Clippers 21-year-old point guard Shaun Livingston.
What Philadelphia can propose is a Corey Maggette and Cuttino Mobley offer from the Clippers for Iverson.

Contractually, the deal would work but it would leave the Clippers bare at the shooting guard position, and in position to have to pay a luxury tax next year, if Livingston is signed to an extension. -- Orange County Register


Cavs guard Eric Snow is still close to the NBA's most intriguing figure of the moment, former 76ers teammate Allen Iverson. He's been trying to reach him for days, but hasn't been able to, though their wives have spoken.
"He just wants to play, I know that," Snow said. "He may be a tough person to play with -- a lot of people are. But you'll never hear someone who played with him say anything bad about him." -- Akron Beacon-Journal


Chauncey Billups said he typically keeps his hotel room TV tuned into ESPN on the road. But he's got his eyes locked to the scrolling ticker even more so now that Iverson's officially on the block.
"I think it's going to rejuvenate his mind and his soul to the game," Billups said, "just having a new situation. It's something that they probably both need." -- Detroit Free Press


The Minnesota Timberwolves have been listed among the suitors for Allen Iverson ... Timberwolves coach Dwane Casey said the speculation hasn't been a distraction for the team.
"I refuse to even talk about it," Casey said. "That's not even my department." -- San Antonio Express-News

[givemethemic]

Last night we had Greg Doyel of cbbsportsline.com on the show and he said that Denver will proably happen... Carmelo and AI in the backcourt the rest of the team will be lucky to take 10 shots a game

[Rocketfan]

Ok, so what were the pieces in return? Picks or players or both?

[whmatthews]

Dan Patrick was saying on his show that it could be the Heat that get him. Riley has heavy interest in him.

[RubberMallet]

the sixers are stupid

surround the guy with retards for 11 years and you can see him year after year just get frustrated and more frustrated.....then they pull this...of course he wants to be traded you haven't given him a quality player in years

[Rocketfan]

The Denver Nuggets have reached an agreement in principle with the Philadelphia 76ers to acquire Allen Iverson, according to NBA front-office sources.

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. It was expected to be completed later Tuesday barring any snags.

The Sixers had been hoping to take back only expiring contracts in any Iverson deal, unless they were receiving a top-flight young player like Minnesota's Randy Foye or Shaun Livingston of the Los Angeles Clippers.

But with Philly and Denver struggling to find a third team to join in to make the deal more financially enticing for the Sixers, they decided to end an auction that began in earnest when Iverson's demand to be traded was confirmed by Sixers chairman Ed Snider on Dec. 8.


This deal will bring Philly a former league assist leader in Miller, Smith's expiring salary of nearly $7 million and those two first-round picks in June -- projected to be in the 20s -- to go with their own lottery pick. Miller is averaging 13 points and 9.1 assists per game -- third-best in the NBA -- while Smith, an 11-year veteran, has played little this season, averaging only 13.5 minutes and 5.1 points per game.

The Nuggets' interest in Iverson dates to last February and has only increased since the Sixers made him available to the whole league earlier this month. Their chief motivation is pairing Iverson with Anthony in coach George Karl's up-tempo attack, but acquiring Iverson now -- just a day after Anthony and J.R. Smith were suspended for 15 and 10 games, respectively, for their roles in Saturday night's fight with the New York Knicks -- gives a much-needed jolt to Denver's depleted roster.

The former teammates from the 2004 U.S. Olympic squad won't be able to play together until Anthony is reinstated for a Jan. 20 game at Houston.


Miller, who led the NBA in assists with 10.9 per game for Cleveland in 2001-02, makes $8.7 million this season and has $19.2 million left on his contract over the following two seasons.

It's apparent, though, that the Sixers decided it was better to absorb Miller's contract now -- along with the opportunity to have three first-round selections in what scouts are calling the deepest draft in years -- as opposed to dragging out the Iverson saga further.

Iverson has been in exile for the past 11 days, languishing on the Sixers' inactive list while still accruing his per-game earnings of $156,218.

Iverson, 31, is averaging 31.2 points per game -- second only to Carmelo Anthony's 31.6 ppg -- in 15 games this season. He has a career 28.1 ppg scoring average in 11 NBA seasons, all in Philadelphia. He led the Sixers to the 2001 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games, but the team has seen little playoff success since.

He was Rookie of the year in 1997 and MVP in 2001. He has led the NBA in scoring four times, most recently in 2005, finishing in the league's top three every year since 1999, and twice led the league in steals.

Marc Stein is a senior NBA writer for ESPN.com

[TDDance234]

Unless those draft picks are high, they didn't get a whole lot for AI.

[LUconn]

I guess the Nuggets picked him up so they could field a team.

[WinthropEagleFan]

The Nuggets will not be a team that I would want to face at the end of a close game...who do you focus on? Both Melo and AI love to take big shots...you worry about one, the other will kill you. I think that is a good pickup for Denver. And it'll be interesting to see AI play with another good scorer.

[SuperJon]

Unless those draft picks are high, they didn't get a whole lot for AI.

Not quite. Philly will now have 3 first round picks this year. They could either get 3 pretty good players or trade up for one great player at the top.

[Rocketfan]

From what i read projected the two from Denver will be in the 20's and with Philly having like the second worst record in the league they have a very good shot at a top 5 pick.

[TDDance234]

Which means, they offer everything they have for a chance at the #1 pick and Greg Oden.