The Best 2 Iverson Trades Nobody Is Talking About
He's the NBA's #2 leading scorer. He's got more All-Star votes than anyone other guard in the Eastern Conference. He's one of the few guys in the league that you can trust with the ball in crunchtime. And he's on the block.
It's looking more and more like a Denver deal is the way it's going down, and everybody has discussed the potential deals in Minny, Indy, Boston, etc. But I have yet to hear anything about 2 potential deals that should be on the table right now. And considering one involves The Logo himself, I wouldn't be surprised if they are in play behind the scenes.
First, I'm setting the ground rules. Billy King is screwed. He painted himself into a corner on this one, and much like every other attempt in sporting history to trade a future Hall of Famer playing some great ball, he's going to get bent over. There are no bonafide All-Stars coming to Philly. And both trades work out fine on ESPN's trade machine. That said, here they are;
1. Orlando - Even though he's on pace for his best season in recent memory, Grant Hill's whopper of a contract is expiring. Orlando may be on top if the East right now, but if you think anyone is winning the NBA finals starting Jameer Nelson at PG, I'd like to join your fantasy league. So trade Ken Griffey Jr, I mean Hill, Nelson, and a draft pick for AI. Maybe even toss in JJ, as Allen will take of the shots that would be left for him anyways. Philly gets cap space, a pick, and a serviceable PG. Orlando gets it's best shot at a title since the days of Shaq Daddy. Fans get to watch AI/Howard become the new school Stockton/Malone.
2. Memphis- I know there are issues with the potential ownership changes, but why is there no noise out of Bluesville? Considering the guy who once pulled off a deal where he got Kobe Bryant for a chain smoking European is at the helm, why is the Logo not throwing his hat in the ring? I have to imagine that somewhere, right now, Jerry West is trying to pull a rabbit out of his hat. And he gets it done by sending (what have you done for me lately) Eddie Jones and his contract plus Rudy Gay to Philly. In effect, this would mean Mr. West swapped Shane Battier and Eddie Jones for Stro Swift and AI. He is the master. Philly would get $$$ off the books and a young talent in Rudy. Hell, the Griz could even throw in a draft pick to get it done. You're trading for AI to win now, so the draft pick becomes a moot point. Pau + Al = Pretty damn near unstoppable.
Both these trades make sense from both sides, but we are hearing nothing from either of these teams. Orlando is just plain stupid if they're not trying to dump Hill, and if there is one exec in the NBA you never want to underestimate, it's Jerry West. Billy King may say he's ready to wait it out now to try and increase the stakes, but you, I, and the rest of the league knows he's screwed. So trade away. And when AI is wearing a Grizzlies uniform in Vegas, just remember you heard it here first.
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