After one and a half years with the Denver Nuggets and consecutive first round fallouts, Allen Iverson has now officially become eye candy around the league.
Iverson averaged 26.4 PPG, 7.1 APG, and 2 SPG in the regular season and is third All Time based on points per game average.
In the recent Nuggets-Lakers series, The Answer averaged 24.5 PPG, 4.5 APG, and 1 SPG.
If he got traded, it would definitely shake things up in Denver and across the league. I would also be sad to see the six foot swiss army knife go.
Several teams in the running for Iverson are:
Miami
Indiana
Chicago
Sacramento
An Iverson-Marion swap sounds pretty intriguing
Heat send
Shawn Marion
for
Nuggets send
Allen Iverson
Think of this starting lineup
Heat Line-Up
Allen Iverson
Dwyane Wade
Shawn Marion
Udonis Haslem
Earl Barron
Nuggets Line-Up
Taurean Green
Carmelo Anthony
Shawn Marion
Kenyon Martin
Marcus Camby
Pro's:
Miami gains another offensive weapon and becomes juggernauts of the Eastern Conference. However, they would also lose their best defensive player in Shawn Marion but receive a nice consolation prize, Allen Iverson.
Michael Beasley can be selected with the number one overall pick in July to fill the hole left by Marion
Denver gains much needed athlectism and talent on the defensive end with the versatile Shawn Marion. Instantly, he would bring the Garnett effect to Denver, and the Nuggets would finish in the Top 10 in the league in defense.
The Nuggets can also select a guard with the 20th selection to take over for Iverson.
Problem:
The only way this deal could happen is if Iverson and Marion both agree to opt out of their contracts and reach sign and trade deal deals with Denver and Miami.
Other possible deals include:
Heat send
Udonis Haslem
Shawn Marion
for
Nuggets send
Allen Iverson
J.R. Smith
or
Heat send
#1 Draft Pick
for
Nuggets send
Allen Iverson
Pacers send
Jamaal Tinsely
Jermaine O'Neal
for
Nuggets send
Allen Iverson
J.R. Smith
Pro's:
Indiana was a team that was in the bottom half of the league in scoring and saw both their perennial All Stars suffer season ending injuries in recent years. The Pacers get #3 and Smith, an instant regimen for a 100 PPG+ team. They also have the 11th pick with whom they can choose Kevin Love and the 41st pick.
Denver gets both a big man and a point guard with All Star skills and a better chance to win their division. Because of this trade, Kenyon Martin would be sent to the bench, O'Neal starts, Tinsley starts, and the SG position would be vacant.
Nuggets Line-Up
Jamaal Tinsley
Carmelo Anthony
Linas Kleiza
Marcus Camby
Jermaine O'Neal
Pacers Line-Up
Flip Murray
Allen Iverson
Danny Granger
Nene
Kevin Love
Problems:
O'Neal, Iverson, and J.R. Smith all must come to terms on new deals for this trade to happen.
Although, this turns into a high risk, high reward situation. If O'Neal and Tinsley continue getting hurt, the Nuggets will look like fools.
Bulls send
Chris Duhon
Tyrus Thomas
9th pick
for
Nuggets send
Allen Iverson
20th pick
Pro's:
With the acquisition, the Bulls can focus on signing Luol Deng to a long-term deal and allow Ben Gordon to walk the plank and test the free agency waters.
The Denver Nuggets get good talent in Duhon and excellent in Tyrus Thomas. Chris Duhon is undermanaged talent, somewhat of a Delonte West scenario in Seattle. Thomas is an outstanding shot blocker with a solid offensive game and is a horse on the glass.
Problems:
Iverson and Duhon must agree to new deals.
Nuggets Lineup
Chris Duhon
Carmelo Anthony
Linas Kleiza
Tyrus Thomas
Marcus Camby
Kings send
Ron Artest
Anthony Johnson
for
Nuggets send
Allen Iverson
Nene
Pro's:
Sacramento will welcome Allen and Nene with open arms into Arco Arena and the Bay Area.
Iverson will light it up just about wherever he goes and he might have more help in Sactown than in the Mile High. In turn, the Kings receive Nene Hilario-a strong, agile, big man with good speed and mediocre defense.
The Nuggets get the long overdue help of Ron Artest and a veteran point guard who still can score with A.J.
Kings Line-Up
Allen Iverson
Kevin Martin
Francisco Garcia
Miki Moore
Brad Miller
Nuggets Line-Up
Anthony Johnson
Carmelo Anthony
Linas Kleiza
Tyrus Thomas
Marcus Camby
The upcoming offseason for Denver will greatly affect their 2008-09 season, whether or not George Karl keeps his job, and how far they get into the playoffs.
Comments (35) Add a comment »
from 8 days ago
I can't say that I would like AI coming to Chicago. As a Chicago fan, I really don't see how he would fit in with our squad like a guy like Kobe would. We have a lot of young players that want to prove themselves and a veteran coming in and showing them all up would really make some people jealous and resentful. It could have the opposite effect, but after seeing what the Kobe trade brought up, can't say I would like to see Kobe Part Deux.
from 8 days ago
You're saying that you wouldn't mind a Larry Hughes, Tyrus Thomas/Chris Duhon for Iverson trade?
from 5 days ago
I'm not saying it wouldn't make us better or that we wouldn't be getting a good deal, but AI doesn't fix any of the Bulls problems. Sure he can score, but he is known to be selfish and adding another selfish player doesn't help a selfish team.
from 5 days ago
You would be getting rid of Larry's huge and unwanted contract and by getting Allen, Gordon is allowed to see other teams or return to the Bulls at a lower price.
from 4 days ago
I think that the deal could possibly work if Ben Gordon were sent to another place (either by just plain leaving or a sign and trade) and then a lineup of Hinrich, AI, Nocioni/Deng, Noah, Gooden, but I still think that they are marginally better at the most. Maybe I just need some time to get used to the idea, but I just can't see AI in a Bulls uniform.
from 8 days ago
If you're swapping Marion for Iverson, how are they both in the Heat lineup?
from 8 days ago
I am wondering the same thing.
from 8 days ago
The Iverson and Marion line-up was if the Heat sent the top pick for Allen Iverson.
from 8 days ago
Why would the heat want another 2 guard w/ d wade? and why would the nuggets want another small forward when they already have melo? If anything it would be melo for marion. Chris Duhon would be great for the nuggets as they need a hard nosed defense minded perimeter player, but if they get him i think it would be through the free agent market.
from 8 days ago
Iverson can make the transition to point guard as I showed and as he has done before in the past in Philadelphia and during his time with the Nuggets.
from 8 days ago
Your right that an Iverson trade has to be the works! But sending him to Miami, I dont think so. Even though marion would be a nice fit for the nuggets. They need another defensive player besides camby on that team.
Interesting read,though.
Peace bro!
from 8 days ago
Marion would be that defensive player. If Denver aquired him they can easily sign another solid defender in the offseason, or get a player of that skill through the draft.
from 7 days ago
I'm not so sure if Denver is ready to deal Iverson yet. I think people are jumping the guns. I think a player like Camby will get traded before Iverson. Iverson was the Nuggets MVP this year, and i'm sure there are teams that will trade for him, but that Nuggets team has a lot more problems to address then Iverson. If they trade Iverson and don't get any proper pieces back (and just compounding their problems) they are going to be in even more trouble then what they are now. If they could just trade for a proper backcourt mate for Iverson and maybe a few add-on pieces (like some defensive minded players), they should be fine. Who they really should trade though is their Coach. LOL!!
from 7 days ago
I'm not certain if the Nuggets should trade Iverson or not. Obviously, whoever they get in return will have around the same amount of talent, younger, and with a more favorable contract.
I do agree that Denver needs a new PG and several defensive players.
And if George Karl doesn't make far next season in the playoffs, without question he's fired.
from 7 days ago
Iverson and Wade would not work. Iverson as a PG is misleading...when they moved him to the one in Philly, he was posting games of 30+points and 10+assists regularly...why? Ball in his hands all the time.
Wade is the same type of player, so pairing the two would force one to minimize their own strengths.
Since I'm an Iverson fan and would like him to get a shot at a ring...I can't (don't) want to think of him going to Indiana or Sactown.
The only thing Iverson needs is a scoring, post up Big man and some shooters (offensively, at least). Throughout his career, they've paired him with players who have a similar game (slashers and penetrators/permiter scorers like Stack, Hughes, Big Dog, Carmelo, etc...). Never worked.
A viable post threat, some consistent scorers, and a big enough, tough enough Guard to play with him in the backcourt.
Interesting artcle, though.
I salute you.
from 7 days ago
Iverson and Wade would not work. Iverson as a PG is misleading...when they moved him to the one in Philly, he was posting games of 30+points and 10+assists regularly...why? Ball in his hands all the time. Wade is the same type of player, so pairing the two would force one to minimize their own strengths. Since I'm an Iverson fan and would like him to get a shot at a ring...I can't (don't) want to think of him going to Indiana or Sactown. The only thing Iverson needs is a scoring, post up Big man and some shooters (offensively, at least). Throughout his career, they've paired him with players who have a similar game (slashers and penetrators/permiter scorers like Stack, Hughes, Big Dog, Carmelo, etc...). Never worked. A viable post threat, some consistent scorers, and a big enough, tough enough Guard to play with him in the backcourt. Interesting artcle, though. I salute you.
from 7 days ago
Iverson can take the load off of Wade while he's recovering and getting back into game shape.
from 7 days ago
and why I posted the same paragraph twice?
Hmmm......
from 7 days ago
"I'm not certain if the Nuggets should trade Iverson or not. Obviously, whoever they get in return will have around the same amount of talent, younger, and with a more favorable contract.
I do agree that Denver needs a new PG and several defensive players.
And if George Karl doesn't make far next season in the playoffs, without question he's fired".
Sean, I seriously doubt you can find a player with "same amount of talent" as Iverson, unless they are Kobe, Lebron or someone like that. Iverson is like a once in a lifetime type player, and I have never seen a player that has played at such a high level for so long. Whoever they get in return for Iverson will just have to be a PG and a few extra pieces, but they are not going to get equal value for what he has brought them these past 1 1/2 seasons, if it wasn't for Iverson this year that Nuggets team wouldn't even have been .500. Either way, I don't think the Nuggets did a good enough job in building the right pieces around Iverson and Melo. When they made a trade for Iverson, it seems like they made the trade with no plan in place. They traded away their PG (Andre Miller) for a combo gaurd (Iverson), and then didn't address the issue of getting another proper backcourt mate. Iverson is not the type of player you can just add onto a team, he is very unique and complex...you have to have a plan when you trade for a guy like that, not just trade for him and expect him to come in and make majic in an already flawed system. The Nuggets need to address a lot of issues this Summer, Iverson is the least of their problems.
But I would rather see Iverson go to a team that is ready to compete, then continue to stay on a team that is just taking baby steps. Denver didn't seem ready to take that next stap when Iverson arrived and they don't seem ready now. Iverson deserves better, he's too great of a player to continue to waste his time on that team if they are not going to take the proper steps...and if they didn't fire George Karl this year, after having three seasons of being 1 and done in the playoffs and getting swept this year, I doubt they will fire him anytime soon...which is another reason why I believe the Nuggets franchise has dropped the ball on this and why I believe they are not ready to take that next step. Iverson should just opt out his contract and leave Denver, they seem to just be wasting his time.
from 7 days ago
I disagree with there's no talent close to AI's out there.
Here is a small list of point guards/shooting guards that can become free agents
Gilbert Arenas
Ben Gordon
Luol Deng
Danny Granger
Also remember, I said close to the Answer's talent.
from 7 days ago
Let's not forget
Monta Ellis
Shaun Livingston
Andre Miller
Juan Carlos Navarro
Jose Calderon
from 7 days ago
Did you really just compare
Monta Ellis
Shaun Livingston
Andre Miller
Juan Carlos Navarro
Jose Calderon
Ben Gordon
Luol Deng
Danny Granger
to a future H.O.F? Yikes! Iverson led that Nuggets team in PPG, steals and assists, he also led the league in minutes played. Was probably the only gaurd that was in the top ten in PPG, steals and assists. None of those players do that (or have ever done it?). You originally said they would have "around the same talent", some of those guys are talented in their own way, but not on Iversons level. Also, they already had Andre Miller, and that didn't work out either so I don't know why people keep bringing him up when it comes to the Nuggets moving forward other then the fact that they do need a PG if Coach Karl is not going to have Iverson play it full time.
Either way, the Nuggets need to figure out what they are going to do. If they are going to keep Iverson, they need to address the backcourt issue...if not, they need to at least have enough respect to try their hardest to trade Iverson to a team that is ready to contend and not some bottom feeding team for him to just fill seats and sell jerseys for. When they traded for Iverson, they were making the statement that they were ready to win now... they have not come through on their side of the deal. Keep in mind the Nuggets did win 50 games this year, it may not seem like it because they were fighting for the 8th seed in one of the toughest conferenses ever, but I just don't see a team "blowing up" or trading away one of their most important pieces off a team that won 50 games. Like I said out of Melo, AI and Camby...I think Camby will go first before anyone else.
Also, I heard a clip from Coach Karl on a radio station say that he beleives theres a good chance that both Melo and AI will back next season because they are the foundation of their team and he thinks they can still find a way to win with both of them together. So we shall see what happens.
from 7 days ago
Lets look at it like this:
Iverson will soon be on the downhill of his career soon.
Secondly, are you saying the players I mentioned above aren't worthy enough trade value?
All of those are younger stars with a will and a desire to win and they play unselfish basketball. They all will want less per season than what A.I. would.
I like Iverson too, but at times he has a tendency to overforce shots in transition or go on a fastbreak with 4 defenders on the opposite end and attempt to draw the foul. When he doesn't he gets infuriated and either picks up a tech or goes off his game.
from 7 days ago
it would be better if iverson go to celtics and let see how the team will win 100+nba finals,.,.,.how about that lol
i agree if melo and wade or marion for trade i hate melo he is so selfish,.,..thats the reason why they lose to lakers
from 6 days ago
In response to Jason:
I'm glad to see there are still some fans out there that value Iverson...you mentioned his stats from this past season...unfortunately, it seems that the 127 members of the media that voted for NBA 1st, 2nd, and 3rd teams didn't know about those statistics, since AI didn't make any of those teams.
from 6 days ago
Yeah, I seen that....I think he missed the third team by like 7 points behind Manu. Which is unfortounate considering that he had better statistics and played more games then Manu and T-Mac. He had better statistics then Steve Nash and D-Will as well. All those players are deserving, but Iverson should have been on one of those teams this season.
from 6 days ago
Lets look at it like this:
"Iverson will soon be on the downhill of his career soon".
^^Okay but when? People have been saying he was supposed to slow down at the age of 28...and here the guy is at 32 (he is ONLY 32 yrs old and not 42 buy the way) and still playing like he is 23 yrs old. People say the same things about him every year. He still has a good 4 years or so left in him at playing at a high level, and considering that he seems to be a couple of steps faster then just about everyone on the court...if he does slow down a step years from now, he'll still be a step faster then just about everyone else. Its obvious that sooner or later athletes will come to the end of their careers, thats commen sense, but I don't agree with people trying to make that guy older before his time. So when he slows down...address it then. You can't campare Iversons production to an average NBA player, he's of a different breed.
"Secondly, are you saying the players I mentioned above aren't worthy enough trade value?
All of those are younger stars with a will and a desire to win and they play unselfish basketball. They all will want less per season than what A.I. would".
^^ I never said they weren't trade worthy, everyone in the NBA has some trade value, some more then others. You said they would want less per season then Iverson? Well I would hope so...considering that they are not max contract players. You keep mentioning "younger", Andre Miller is the same age as Iverson. And my point was do you honastly think any of those guys would come in and put up the production Iverson has put up?
"I like Iverson too, but at times he has a tendency to overforce shots in transition or go on a fastbreak with 4 defenders on the opposite end and attempt to draw the foul. When he doesn't he gets infuriated and either picks up a tech or goes off his game".
^^Welcome to the world of the NBA where everyone has flaws. I'm not sure if you noticed this but Carmelo Anthony is like the KING of forced shots on that team. Which brings me to my point...Iverson is the least of that teams issues. He still has some things he could fix, yes, but he has been the best player on that team this season and has done the most for that team. So just trading him off right now to me is silly. Tim Duncan is my favorite player, but to me it seems like people have a different set of rules for Iverson then they do everyone else. Its truely unfortounate, he has his flaws but his pros far out weigh his cons.
And my entire point was you have the Nuggets trading Iverson to Miami, Indiana or Sacramento..these bottom feeding teams. They are not contending teams right now..any team that adds the right pieces can turn things around, yes...but if they are going to trade Iverson have enough respect to trade him to a decent team that already has some type of direction and structure. The guy didn't leave the Sixers to go to teams that aren't ready to compete. They are just wasting the rest of that guys great career.
from 5 days ago
How do you consider Miami, Indiana, Sacramento bottom feeding teams?
The Heat have D-Wade, Shawn Marion, Udonis Haslem, and are guaranteed at least the 4th overall pick in the draft, they may even get the first. And I'm guessing they'll take Michael Beasley.
The Pacers have Mike Dunleavy Jr, Danny Granger, Flip Murray, Jermaine O'Neal, and Jamaal Tinsley. Not a bad lineup. Indiana barely missed the playoffs this season as it was decided with about 2 games left in the season.
The Kings have Ron Artest, Kevin Martin, John Salmons, Anthony Johnson, and Brad Miller.
Artest and Miller are All Stars, Martin finished 2nd in Most Improved Player voting a year ago, he was also one of the very few players this year to average over 20 points per game, shoot over 80% FT, average 4 rebounds per game, and average a steal per game.
Artest also averages over 20 points per game too.
Miller was on Team USA a few years back, and this Sacramento team might have made a serious push for the 8th seed if Ron, Kevin, and Brad weren't hurt this season.
So how are those bottomfeeding teams?
When Iverson voraciously attempts shot after shot, he rarely passes the ball. Iverson will go down and become completely self absorbed between him and his defender and acts as if he has blinders on and there are no other Nuggets players on the floor.
When Melo understands he doesn't have numbers, he'll wait for his team to get down the floor and then set up shop.
Yes Anthony at times does force up unwanted shots, but they're mostly good shotd. However when Allen throws up a shot is usually some sort of spinning layup trying to draw the foul and he relies on Kenyon Martin or Camby to grab the offensive rebound, and when they can't Denver is one man short on the other end of the floor because A.I. barks his head off.
from 6 days ago
Everyone knows that A.I. has very marginal trade value. Young teams certainly aren't going to want to build with him in mind and teams on the cusp of bieng elite certainly aren't go to throw thier championship hopes down the drain. A sg in a pg's body, who overhandles, shoots, first,second and last and kills floor chemistry and doesn't play a lick of defense. You don't win championships like that.
The only team that would want A.i< is a team in flux, looking to sell tickets before rebuilding.
from 5 days ago
How can the Miami Heat not come to mind?
It would be a great fit.
Iverson also attracts crowd with his dynamic skill set, Wade will be back to full health, and the high draftee is also sure to lure Heat fans out of the woodworks.
from about 7 hours ago
Next!! I don't agree with that. Anyone one with commen sense can look at Denvers situation and see that Iverson wasn't the right fit there and their lack of structure along with supposed offensive and defensive sets (or lack there of) doesn't work in the Nuggets favor. If you couldn't have Iverson on a team that can contend for a championship he would have never led a team to the NBA Finals. So its more then evident he can be on a team contending. I never get where people question Iverson, yet there are some supposed Superstars that have yet to even get out first round yet. SMH
Also, i'm tired of watching people talk about "young team"...what young team that you know that has won a Championship over the past 10 years? The past 20? The teams that have won over the past ten years have been the Spurs, Lakers and Pistons...and none of those teams were "young" they all have a good mixture of ages, again welcome to the NBA!! Leave it up to some of you I guess Iverson should just end an amazing career right now at the age of 32 yrs old and just retire now huh? Because according to Nick no one will want him? Give me a damn break. Stop the Hate in 08'!
from 3 days ago
Becuase Miami has a foundation that they are building when you consider their lotto status. Iverson would kill what Wade does. (Though he would be a decent fit w/Marion)
from 3 days ago
It would work because there's no telling when Dwyane Wade will be himself again. The shoulder has definitely affected his movement and his control on the court.
This season, The combination of his desire to play and Pat Riley needing scoring for the Heat rushed him on the court too soon, reaggravating the injury and showing he still wasn't 100%
Iverson would be able to score and help make up for the points lost in Wade's absence.
from about 7 hours ago
"When Iverson voraciously attempts shot after shot, he rarely passes the ball. Iverson will go down and become completely self absorbed between him and his defender and acts as if he has blinders on and there are no other Nuggets players on the floor".
^^Sean, the Nuggets have no slashers at times, no cutters...NONE! In Philly, Iverson used to have people that would cut to the basket for him to drop off the ball. The guy averages the most assist on the Nuggets team. There are times that he looks for his shot, but so does Kobe..so does Lebron...and so on. It just seems like if Iverson doesn't pass the ball EVERY SINGLE TIME he gets it, then there is someone screaming about how he has on "blinders" and "rarely passes the ball".
"When Melo understands he doesn't have numbers, he'll wait for his team to get down the floor and then set up shop".
^^ Thats a lie. If the ball gets in Carmelos hands, there is a 90% chance he will jack up a shot. Did you even see him in the playoffs this year? Yikes!! I would give him the benefit of the doubt, but Melo barley even passes the ball, real talk... at least lebron gets his teammates involved.
"Yes Anthony at times does force up unwanted shots, but they're mostly good shotd. However when Allen throws up a shot is usually some sort of spinning layup trying to draw the foul and he relies on Kenyon Martin or Camby to grab the offensive rebound, and when they can't Denver is one man short on the other end of the floor because A.I. barks his head off".
^^ Okay, your starting to lose credibility. When Carmelo forces shots, its either over a double team (which he should be passing out of and doesn't) or a 360 jumpshot, or some crazy sh*t that ends up getting blocked or turned over in the 4th period of the games. Melo doesn't even take proper shots..you know the type that real leaders take to slow down a teams momentum to get his team back in the game..sometimes he just takes shots just to be taking them. Did you even watch the Lakers/Nuggets series? Or better yet, did you even watch the games this season? Did you not watch Carmelo get stripped by Derrick Fisher and instead of getting back on D, he barked at the ref and Derrick Fisher scored a lay up on the opposing end? Did you not see that melt down? Reggie Miller ripped Carmelo a new one during that playoff series.
I'll give you something even better, when Iverson had his 51 pt game against the Lakers earlier in the season and Coach Karl made the fatal mistake of switching Iverson to the PG position in the 4th and telling him to pass the ball instead of continuing to feed the hot hand which costs them the game (that and the Nuggets lack of defense the final stretch of the game)...Carmelo was jacking up shots throughout the entire game. I seen someone that went to that game and the Nuggets crowd in the section they were in was talking about how selfish Carmelo looked. But when Melo had his 49 pt game against Washington, Iverson only shot like 9 times and had like 9 assists (8 of them were to Carmelo). Thats what i'm talking about. I can't think of a player over the last five years that has had the offensive load that Iverson has had..which would make his transition into another type of offensive not as easy as it would some. But give the guy some credit, because there has been times that Iverson has adjusted more then he has ever had to before into that "teams" system. Carmlo doesn't even know how to feed the hot hand. If he's not scoring the ball, he doesn't know what else to do or how to get involved when his shot isn't falling. My goodness, if you want to point out Iverson flaws, fine..but please don't strait up tell fibs about Carmelo though.
Bottom line, I just don't want to watch Iverson go to another irrelevent team..I understand that the right group of players can turn a team completely around. If one of you're trade scenerios work, that would be fine...as long as he could contend and compete. I think with the right Coach and system Denver would be better then what they are but considering they are keeping Karl (and most likely the same system)...I don't see anything changing. I just feel like he has wasted his time there. And I don't feel like that Nuggets organization and some of its players are serious about wanting to contend and win now. So Iverson should go first before anyone else.
from about 4 hours ago
The truth comes out once again.
The Nuggets really could've used Ron Artest in the playoffs and they should've gotten him.
Write a new comment