NBA Free Agents 2011: Odds on Potential Teams Allen Iverson Could Sign with Next
Just when we thought Allen Iverson was done in the NBA after his lackluster end with the Philadelphia 76ers, his name has popped back up on the radar. What are the odds on the likelihood of teams signing him?
At age 36, it's not preposterous to think that he could find his way back onto an NBA roster for the 2011-2012 season, especially for a team that thinks it's just one scorer away from making a run toward the postseason.
I don't want to give you the five most likely candidates and have odds all around 4-1 and 3-1. I want to give you a full spectrum of possible homes, from the most unlikely to the likeliest, and allow your brilliant mind to find where your team might lie.
Please go ahead and discuss the odds, too. The Answer is coming back.
Miami Heat, 50-1
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The Miami Heat is the long shot in this horse race to acquire Allen Iverson.
After making a deep run to the NBA Finals in their first year as a complete team, a deal of this magnitude is both unnecessary and detrimental.
The Heat already have the league's top shooting guard in Dwyane Wade as well as capable bench shooters like Mike Miller and James Jones.
If you're a high stakes better with cash to throw around, put a couple on the Heat. If it happens, we'll all be shocked, and you'll be rich.
New York Knicks, 35-1
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In order to play in the Eastern Conference, you apparently have to have a "Big Three."
I mean, that's obviously the reason the Chicago Bulls couldn't get past the Miami Heat. It's all about the best three players on your team.
The New York Knicks are one player shy of debuting their Big Apple Three to the NBA world, and what better position to fill than the shooting guard?
Amar'e Stoudemire is perhaps the best scoring center in the league, and Carmelo Anthony is a dominant scorer at any position.
Time to mix in one of the the game's best scorers in history.
But of course, Knicks fans ought to see the similarities between this aging star and another aging star named Stephon Marbury that didn't quite work out.
New York already has enough firepower on offense for coach Mike D'Antoni to work with. The Knicks don't need another mouth to feed.
Memphis Grizzlies, 15-1
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The first stop with the Memphis Grizzlies wasn't successful for Allen Iverson. Maybe a second try would be better.
Due to the Grizzlies' growing impatience with O.J. Mayo, the need for shooting guard depth it there. Xavier Henry is the 2-guard of the future, but he was forced to sit out nearly his entire rookie season, so his 2011-2012 could be shaky.
A little veteran leadership at the end of the game would be good for Memphis. The fact that the second he donned a Grizzlies jersey he would be the best three-point shooter on the team is a bonus.
But I have already made it clear that Mayo needs to stay in Memphis, and if owner Michael Heisley can be equally convinced, the need for Iverson Round 2 may not be there.
Cleveland Cavaliers, 8-1
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The Cleveland Cavaliers have two draft picks in the top four at the NBA Draft later this month. J.J. Hickson was perhaps the best player on the team and is only 22-years old.
A year or two out of Allen Iverson would allow the young Cavs to get their feet wet.
For some reason, I feel like point guard Baron Davis and Iverson could be a really good combination in the back court. Davis is one of the few veterans on the team and would relish in the opportunity to dish A.I. the ball and rack up assists.
The signing wouldn't make Cleveland a contender for the playoffs in the East, but it would definitely make them a competitive team.
Chicago Bulls, 5-1
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The morning line favorite for the Allen Iverson Stakes is the Chicago Bulls, owners of the East's best record in 2010-2011.
As good as the Bulls were last season, their field goal and three-point percentages were not outstanding. They ranked 13th out of 30 in both categories.
Luol Deng and Kyle Korver are both completely capable of hitting open threes, but a shooting guard should offer much more than the highly probability of hitting an open three.
They have to hit be able to penetrate to the free-throw line and hit the tough 20-footer.
Allen Iverson can do that very well.
Just two years ago, there was a lot of talk about Chicago's interest in the four-time scoring champion. It looks like their number has come up yet again.
Who's Your Favorite?
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As you can see, the odds are still in a state of flux.
The favorite, the Chicago Bulls, are only a 5-1 payout, meaning there is still a lot of turbulence churning in the rumor mill.
One of those rumors is that he'll decide not to come back and retire, which certainly has its justifications.
But if he does come back, there are some teams that could surely use him. Just don't expect him to talk much about practice.
