NBA Free Agency: Allen Iverson Will Accept Reduced Role, But Will He Get Offers?
On Monday, Allen Iverson made a statement that the whole world has been waiting for him to make for a year.
He said what people thought he wouldn't ever say and what everyone wanted to hear. Yes, a seemingly humbled Iverson posted the following on his Twitter account:
" I want to return to the NBA this season, and help any team that wants me, in any capacity that they feel that I can help. I'm disappointed, and I owe my fans more than what they have seen of me the last couple seasons. However, now that my family is healthy and rock solid, I can concentrate fully on doing what I do best."
Iverson wants to return to the league, and probably hasn't enjoyed life without basketball. Now that he is willing to take a reduced role, a number of offers should come. But this statement means one of two things: either he thinks he has declined enough to not start anymore, or he thinks he is so prepared for next season that he can start the season off as a sixth man and play well enough to eventually gain a starting spot.
All the analysts and GM's out there said that if Iverson were willing to come off the bench or at least play a reduced role, contenders would offer him contracts. Of course, it seemed that was not the case when it came to the outspoken star.
But what Iverson said recently is great. He finally did what everyone wanted him to do— say he will come off the bench. If he had done this a year ago, the team that he agreed to come off the bench for would be trying to re-sign him. Iverson obviously has realized that if he wants to get back in the league, he will need to accept a reduced role.
Now the question is, how many contract offers will he get?
A number of options have opened up for him and it will be interesting to see which teams are willing to take Iverson on. There are some contenders out there that would probably like to have Iverson on their squad coming off the bench.
A role Iverson could excel in is as a Jamal Crawford-type player, coming off the bench for a contender with the potential to pour in 18-20 points a night and at times looking like the best player on the team.
Since he is ready to play this reduced role, I would think teams like the Knicks and Heat would be willing to take him for the veteran minimum to play as the third option with either LeBron and Stoudemire (Knicks?) or Wade and Bosh (Miami?).
Other options?
Last season the Clippers offered Iverson a $5.8 million contract and it seemed as if he was going to be playing in LA. But the Clips wanted him to come off the bench, which as I said before was not an option in Iverson's mind. Now if Iverson is accepting this role, maybe he could play the sixth man role for LA.
Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown are probably done with the Lakers as well, so maybe the other LA team will be interested in having AI as an off the bench player for 30 minutes a game. Of course, a team like the Orlando Magic could use AI as a starter or a sixth man. Same with the Mavericks.
But don't expect Iverson to get any offers just yet.
Nobody is going to focus on him—not with LeBron, Wade, and Bosh still undecided on where they are going. In fact, teams may not show interest in Iverson until most other players have signed and roster spots are opening up.
But there are still many teams out there that could use Iverson in any role. Below I've listed the five teams that could use AI as a starter and five teams that could use him as a sixth man.
The top 5 teams that could still use Iverson as a starter:
5.) Cleveland Cavaliers: Whether LeBron chooses to stay in Cleveland or not, the Cavs could start Iverson. If LeBron stays he plays the two spot or one spot and gives LeBron the sidekick that he has never had.
AI would be much better than Mo Williams and would never choke in the playoffs. Instead, he would be able to take games over and could give this Cavs team (with LeBron) around 20 ppg and a chance at a ring.
Without LeBron, the Cavs could use AI as well because he could still lead the team in scoring and give them a buzz, keeping the attendance and jersey sales high. Plus, he could still help them grab an eighth seed.
4.) Charlotte Bobcats: Iverson made the mistake of turning down the Bobcats offer last season to reunite with Larry Brown. But now that Raymond Felton is probably going to leave, Iverson could be the starting point guard and help this team get further in the playoffs.
Larry Brown would give AI a legit chance (34-38 mpg) to prove that he still has it, and even if AI started off as a sixth man and outplayed the guy in front of him, Brown would give Iverson the starting job.
3.) Toronto Raptors: The Raptors are going to be one of the worst teams in the league if they don't get anything back for Chris Bosh. Right now it is looking like that will happened.
But why not sign Iverson for the veteran's minimum and keep the buzz alive, sell more Raptors jerseys then any player has (Iverson is such a huge star that at 35 he could sell more jerseys then Vince Carter did for the Raps), and probably have him as the best player on the team.
Iverson would get all the minutes and shots on this team, and could really do some big things for the Raptors. Effort-wise he is the anti-VC, and the folks up north would love him.
Bryan Colangelo was brave enough to take a chance on Steve Nash, and he went on to become a two-time MVP. The Raptors are going to need a shot in the arm, so bringing in Allen Iverson would be great.
2.)Miami Heat: Every analyst and source out there is saying that Chris Bosh will join Dwyane Wade in Miami. But the Heat don't even have eight players signed to the roster, plus Bosh and Wade won't be able to win it all on their own.
Imagine if AI was the third option running the point with Mario Chalmers coming off the bench for him. AI would have no problem playing the third option; he would have his best shot at winning a ring and would thrive with the Heat.
Pat Riley would be part of this team, so he could control Iverson and make sure he doesn't cause any problems.
1.)New York Knicks: Amar'e Stoudemire became a Knick yesterday and said, "The Knicks are back."
Not quite, Amar'e.
Donnie Walsh must be freaking out right now because his team waited four years for the 2010 free agency period, and it would be very disappointing if the Knicks don't get another star.
Allen Iverson could be that third option on the Knicks, if LeBron James signs with them, playing in an up and down game. AI could thrive with LeBron and Stoudemire, and the Knicks would instantly be the most dangerous team in the league.
But even if the Knicks don't land LeBron, AI could still sign for the veteran's minimum, score 25 a night, get the Knicks into the playoffs, and set up a potential reunion with Carmelo Anthony in New York after next season.
Top 5 teams that AI could play sixth man for:
5.)San Antonio Spurs: AI would be able to get his 30 mpg on the Spurs, with Ginobili being the starter. Coach Popovich would be able to control Iverson and for once, with Tim Duncan on the team, Iverson would have a player that has done more than him on the team.
AI could be instant offense off the bench and could give the Spurs plenty of firepower.
4.)Los Angeles Clippers: AI could play 30 mpg off the bench at either the point or two guard spot for the Clippers.
Now that Blake Griffin is ready to play, the Clippers could do some big things in the Western Conference. Iverson would be instant offense, and if the Clippers play freelance he could give them 20 points any night.
Eric Gordon would learn a lot from Iverson, and if the Clippers land LeBron AI would have a chance at a ring with this team.
3.)Orlando Magic: Although AI could probably start for this team, if he came off the bench and was set free he could give the Magic a lot of points. He could also help close games out, giving the Magic the go-to-guy and scorer they thought they had in Vince Carter.
It would be Iverson's best chance to win a ring, and he would be respected by this organization. If Vince Carter is shipped out, he could even start.
2.)Dallas Mavericks: If there is one guy that has the guts to sign Iverson, it is Mark Cuban.
Iverson could be the sixth man on this team or even a starter. But if the Mavs move Jason Terry into the starting lineup and bring Iverson off the bench for 30 mpg, he could really help.
The Mavs have so many options that all Iverson would have to concentrate on is scoring. AI could give the Mavs 18 points off the bench and be a player that can take over in the playoffs. With Iverson in the fold, maybe the days of choking in Dallas would be over.
1.)Los Angeles Lakers: If AI wants a ring, LA should be his top choice.
Again, he would have a guy on his team that has accomplished more (Kobe), a coach that can control him (Phil Jackson), and he would get 30 mpg off the bench behind Derek Fisher.
Phil Jackson has shown he trusts his bench a lot, and that was when it featured guys like Josh Powell and Jordan Farmar. Imagine if Iverson was coming off the bench for the Lakers, giving them 18-20 points a night.
Farmar and Brown are expected to leave, and if Fisher re-signs than AI could be the sixth man, or seventh alongside Lamar Odom. This would be his best chance to win a title and Phil Jackson would never treat a former MVP, and one of the greatest players in league history, the way some of his coaches have lately.
Iverson helped himself immensely by making this statement on Twitter. He opened up a lot of opportunities for himself, and a number of teams could give him a look.
AI has done it all in the league and is one of the greatest players ever. So if a scrub like Chris Duhon can sign a four year deal for $15 million with the Magic, I am pretty sure Iverson will get on a team by the end of this free agency period.
It will be an interesting couple of months as we wait to see where Iverson lands. Hopefully it has a better ending than the last time Iverson was looking for a new home.
