Sixers asking about trading Iverson. No wait, they're not.

[EGarrett]

http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/sports/13761743.htm

Interesting subject.

I personally think Billy King should've been fired a long time ago. But it'd probably be a good idea to do the same thing the Knicks did with Ewing and just get rid of the guy while they can still get value for him.

[Blasphemy]

IF they trade him....

[Andrew]

Interesting read, I don't agree with it though. I understand the nature of the business, how ruthless it is and that there is that "what have you done for me lately?" mentality but this current "Oh, (insert player here) has been around 10 years/he's 30, he hasn't won a championship, he's past his peak, time to get rid of him before he's useless" line of thinking.

Obviously the Sixers are starting to running out of time as AI may have at least five or six years left but probably only between two and four years left at the current level, but there's still an opportunity to build around him and then of course to enter a transitional phase as the Pacers did in the latter stages of Reggie Miller's career.

[maes]

The writer had a very basic and under-researched understanding of how an NBA team business model works.

There are only two reasons to keep a player as the centerpiece of your franchise: He can win you a championship or he is a ticket magnet who keeps the money flowing.

Iverson, through no fault of his own, is no longer either of those for the Sixers.

Ticket sales are a major source of income for the smaller teams. The more successful teams make much of their money from fees paid for broadcasting their game on cable, local TV, or for big bucks, national and worldwide. There's also the merchandising, which can dwarf ticket sales on its own.

No matter what failings a sports fan will lay into AI, the fact is that cable companies and TV companies will pay serious cash for a Kobe - AI showdown broadcast rights. Yao is probably drawing in a pretty penny for the Rockets considering Houston is the only NBA entity the billion people in China care to watch. And the merchandising for both guys is among the best in the NBA.

It's still a business, which is about making money, and both guys generate a lot of revenue. I doubt AI will be traded for a less than a guaranteed up & coming young star in the wade/melo/lebron category.

[Andrew]

Forgot to mention this:

Back in the mid-1980s, the Clippers were looking for a ticket attraction and offered Terry Cummings, a talented young player who was the second overall pick in the 1982 draft, for an aging Julius Erving.

Since it would have given the Sixers bookend stud forwards in Cummings, who made a couple of All-Star teams in a long career, and Charles Barkley with Moses Malone sandwiched in the middle, it was a no-brainer as a basketball decision.

But given Doctor J's iconic status and popularity in Philadelphia, it was understandable why the trade never came down.

That's interesting, I'd never heard that before. I still disagree with the logic though. Julius Erving remained an All-Star until his final season in the league and Philadelphia was already preparing for life after the Doctor by the mid 80s with future star Barkley on the roster. When a great player has delivered a championship, the team's already looking to the future with some pieces in place and he's still playing at a high level, I can't see how it's a mistake to let him have a farewell tour and retire with dignity as a member of the team.

[EGarrett]

Teams have traded their aging stars in the past, and it hasn't really resulted in the star hating them.

Example: Patrick Ewing, he was traded by the Knicks before he completely fell off, and after he retired he's still considered an MSG legend and (I think) they've retired his jersey and everything.

It also can help the star get one more chance at a ring. It can be a win-win situation.

Example, and I know this is far-fetched: Trading Iverson to the Mavericks for something like Devin Harris, Jason Terry, Josh Howard and a 1st Round Pick.

The Mavericks get the piece that might put them over the top. The Sixers get a jump-start on the future. Then after Iverson retires he gets the Sixer honor ceremony and everybody wins.

[Andrew]

True, there's no ill-will there but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a good idea. The Knicks haven't come close to matching the level of success they had in the 90s with Ewing. It can be a win-win situation but AI is not at the same point Ewing was when the deal with Seattle went down in 2000.

[kinokong]

if philly is serious about rebuilding for the future here are a couple of scenarios that could work

phi trades: allen iverson, kevin ollie
chi trades: tim thomas, ben gordan, chris duhon, malik allen and a 1st round pick

with tim thomas and jamal mashburn coming off the books after this year... great way to clear salary cap and receive talent... on the other hand chicago gets the bonafide superstar they need.

simultaneously
phi trades: chris webber
nyk trades: jamal crawford, antonio davis
knicks get rid of a headcase in crawford and webber marbury combo could be potent in the weak east... philly on the other hand loses 3 big contracts off the books this year and can go into full rebuilding mode this offseason....

thats my 2cents.... opinions(i think it's a little farfetched but could happen)

[Drex]

There has been a lot of rumours abour the Sixers trading Iverson, probably the most since 2000. I hope that they don't trade him, because he means a lot to the team and the cicy, and he doesn't want to be traded. I guess it's all Webber's fault, he's cancer

[Andrew]

Tempting trade for Chicago but to be honest I would be sorry to see Gordon go.

[Amphatoast]

wow thats like $45million with davis, thomas and mashburn off the books.. sounds good
not sure if knicks want webber with frye developing still

[kinokong]

im sure thomas loves webbers big ass contract

[mark_30_112]

Yeah he'll love that most of the player nowadays are in for the money.