"Trade AI to Dallas?" the solution to the Sixers problems?

[mqywaaah]

Trading Andre Iguodala
By Kelly Dwyer
Understand that I'm usually (if not, nearly always) pretty loathe to take on these sorts of posts, partially because I don't like reading them myself, partially because a lot of the time an NBA trade rarely works out solidly for both ends, and mostly because I'm more interested in the on-court action than off. Alas, I'm forging ahead, here.

If the reports are correct, and they likely aren't, Andre Iguodala and the Philadelphia 76ers are at a stalemate. The guard/forward (eh, "forward") is about to enter his fifth season, he's a restricted free agent, and reports indicate he's looking for a contract in the six-year, 75 million dollar range.

Now, this could be a plant from the Sixers, or someone's educated guess (75 million would seem in line with someone who wouldn't be signed as of the first week of August), or it could be spot on. The specifics hardly matter to me, because I barely think he's worth eight figures a year. AI's a fine player, but even with the addition of Elton Brand and the continued improvement of Louis Williams, he might not be what the 76ers need. His game is a little more "Corey Maggette" than it is "Paul Pierce." A lot more. The guy has issues creating shots.

So why not cut out now? Why not mix things up with a sign-and-trade? Why not follow the voice of every message board denizen? Actually, for this one, that might work.

Trading AI straight-up in a sign-and-trade for one of his Class of 2004 brethren (like, say, Ben Gordon) is too complicated due to Base-Year Compensation rules, and any sign-and-trade deal that Iggy gets dealt within would have to invoke that clause.

Because of the raise in his deal, the contracts that come back to the 76ers would have to match up with half of Iguodala's first year salary, plus whatever salary they'd add on with other players. So if Iguodala is signed to a deal that has him making 12 million quid in the first season, it would only be worth six million in a trade. Good news if the 76ers want to deal for Matt Harpring, bad news if they want to try and replicate Iguodala's still-solid (and still-rising, for years after this) production.

Initially, I went to look for deals involving Class of 2003 guys, because those with significant gifts would already be working on their post-rookie contracts, which would be worth the full amount in a trade due to their BYC status expiring after 2007-08. Kirk Hinrich? On the block, but the Bulls don't need another wing player. Jameer Nelson? Same, and same. T.J. Ford? Already dealt. LeBron James? Too good. Reece Gaines? Too pretty for Philly. Leandro Barbosa? The Suns probably won't play ball.

Josh Howard? Hmm.

This isn't a reaction to Howard's latest indiscretion. Not sure if you've heard, but Mark Cuban is a pretty sound businessman, and he's knows that a fan base disappointed in a few off-court misdeeds rarely translates into actual losses at the gate, though losing basketball will always translate into ticket-buying indifference. And Howard sells tickets, because he helps win games. Or, he used to. Until last year, at least.

Howard is 28. He's in his prime. This is it. 2008-09 has to be his best year, and if it isn't, then ... yikes. Is the atmosphere right for him to pull off that career year? Sure, Avery Johnson is gone, and those two had their moments, but is he long for this team and an owner that really digs Brandon Bass?

Meanwhile, the 76ers just signed Elton Brand. Andre Miller is running the point. Their window to win is right flippin' now, in spite of all the young talent. Iguodala, for all his gifts, was an absolute millstone during last spring's playoffs; and even if we excuse the play because of two words ("Tayshaun" and "Prince"), the team still needs someone who can create in a pinch when things break down in the post. And not by firing a Maggette-esque three-pointer.

So why not give Iggy his 12-million per year, ship him to Dallas with Willie Green, and take Howard on? The Mavs get a Richard Jefferson-esque oop partner for Jason Kidd, someone to run enough with to dupe media types into thinking that Dallas is a fast-break team (like Kidd and Jefferson did in New Jersey), backcourt depth in Green, and they cut ties with Howard for a player almost four years younger.

Philly gets a smoother shooter who can create, defend, and knows how to contribute when the looks aren't there, or the looks aren't falling. Better yet, at two more years for 20 million and then a team option for 11 more, the 76ers stay in contract control. Also, Willie Green stinks.

I think it works, I think both sides do well, and I think fans of both teams would be happy with the deal one, three, and five years from now - even with, five years from now, Iguodala in his prime and Howard long gone from Philadelphia. Something about a Thaddeus Young.

What do you think?

Why the F not?! Make it happen cubes!

[CanadianMavsFan]

Ya, I'd take it. Of course I'd rather have Josh Smith, but Iggy for Josh is not a bad move at all for us. Iggy is athletic, young, and can run the break with Kidd.

[mqywaaah]

Plus we don't lose anyone else but JHo.

[MavsX]

i don't know about that one

[Caseman]

Iggy + Kidd = Wetdream

[mqywaaah]

Originally Posted by Caseman

Iggy + Kidd = Wetdream

I'm not sure how you meant that but I'll go on thinking that it's a basketball thingy

[Tokey41]

I think the Sixers would want more, would be a great deal for us.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Much better defender Iggy is.

Sign me up.

[nikeball]

Iggy did get shutdown by Detroit in the playoffs this past year...pretty badly...but I feel like it was different than from Josh Howard. Igoudala just could not do anything against Detroit's defense..whereas Josh Howard just decided to shoot fadeaway jumpers. However, Detroit's defense is a lot better than Peja Stojakovic.

I think this would be a lateral move in terms of current skill..except that Iggy is younger, more athletic, and developing.

[muzak]

i like it.

[alby]

Andre AND Wllie Green? Of course, I would do this.


But salaries would not match up if Iguodala signs for 12 per.


If we can make this work though, this would be a very very good team.

[MaVs 41 BaLler]

Do it we could be better then the rockets

[CanadianMavsFan]

Originally Posted by nikeball

Iggy did get shutdown by Detroit in the playoffs this past year...pretty badly...but I feel like it was different than from Josh Howard. Igoudala just could not do anything against Detroit's defense..whereas Josh Howard just decided to shoot fadeaway jumpers. However, Detroit's defense is a lot better than Peja Stojakovic.

I think this would be a lateral move in terms of current skill..except that Iggy is younger, more athletic, and developing.

Iggy was Philly's #1, and at his age that's alot of pressure against a defense like Detroit's. He would be our #2 or #3 option, alot less pressure to score the ball and more opportunity to lean on someone like Kidd to get his offense going.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by alby

Andre AND Wllie Green? Of course, I would do this.


But salaries would not match up if Iguodala signs for 12 per.


If we can make this work though, this would be a very very good team.

Yeah it would, Green makes 3.3 and Iggy would come back at 6. Howard makes 9.9 next season.

[alby]

Originally Posted by CanadianMavsFan

Iggy was Philly's #1, and at his age that's alot of pressure against a defense like Detroit's. He would be our #2 or #3 option, alot less pressure to score the ball and more opportunity to lean on someone like Kidd to get his offense going.

co sign

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Yeah it would, Green makes 3.3 and Iggy would come back at 6. Howard makes 9.9 next season.

thank you for the clarification

[MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs]

Are we gonna go down this same road again? How many players have we gone through this offseason that we've hoped we would land and we ended up empty handed? We're rolling with the same team cuz the Mavs F.O. is gutless, it's sad but true.

[alby]

Kidd/Terry/Barea
W. Green/Terry/Stack/Wright
Iguodala/Wright/G. Green/Singleton
Dirk/Bass/Singleton
Damp/Diop

I think that gives us home court in the Western Conference.

[nikeball]

The way Josh was shooting (jumpers/fades like Kobe)...I assumed he thought he was the #1 option and I will treat him as such. .

[BGMaverick9]

Yeah, he did struggle to create opportunities, but as mentioned...he was the top option in Philly. I dunno how big of a stalemate they are actually in though. I'd give them more, like EJ or Stack for Willie Green as well. I don't think Bass needs to be included in this deal which is a plus for if there is anything else we can see further down the road.

Smith > Iggy...but I'd still take him over Howard
He can still develop but I don't think he'll match up to Smith's potential.

Both of those two still have potential, Howard doesn't have a whole lot left. It's up to him to get back into the form he was in. If he does that, can he still find ways to improve...I wouldn't count on it.

[alby]

knowing our luck,

this will be the title of a thread next week: Andre Iguodala Goes to the Spurs!!
and the first post will be: "we like our team"

[DOMINATOR]

this doesnt make sense from a 76ers position.
iggy > howard
does howard create his own shot? more specifically down the stretch? not to mention howard is 4 years older.

[SMC0007]

^^Shhh.
*Don't ruin this for us, maybe philly don't know all this yet.

[muzak]

Originally Posted by MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs

Are we gonna go down this same road again? How many players have we gone through this offseason that we've hoped we would land and we ended up empty handed? We're rolling with the same team cuz the Mavs F.O. is gutless, it's sad but true.

say it ain't so.

[spreedom]

Willie Green is flat-out terrible. Maybe the worst starter for any playoff team last year. But if we have to take him on to get Iguodala..... well, I guess we'd probably better do it.

[CanadianMavsFan]

Originally Posted by MavsWiLLHaVeRinGs

Are we gonna go down this same road again? How many players have we gone through this offseason that we've hoped we would land and we ended up empty handed? We're rolling with the same team cuz the Mavs F.O. is gutless, it's sad but true.

I'm never gonna sleep with Jessica Alba, but sometimes it's fun to talk about it.

Don't be so sure that Howard is untouchable anymore, we could only hope that Cuban and Donnie have become frustrated with his crap. Hopefully enough to decide that he really isn't the all star golden boy they've built him up to be. Then again, judging by this offseason so far I wouldn't be at all surprised if you were totally right about our FO.

[BGMaverick9]

I just believe it's a case of big hopes and overvaluing your own talent. Josh hasn't really fixed his image this summer, any little slip drags him right back down...it's just that bad. If you can get proven results with a mix of potential/youth for Josh...you take it and don't look back.

Can he still score and produce on a team, of course. Is he what we ultimately need, I don't think so. I just don't see a prolonged turn around for Josh.

[Nash13]

I don't think this makes Dallas that much better, if any. Like it or not, Josh is the second best player on the team when it comes to creating his own shot. I think he's better than Andre. Also, Andre doesn't seem like a Western Conference SF. I do feel like we'd have better team-play. It could be a hit or miss.

[EricaLubarsky]

Andre would be a SG. We'd suddenly have a SG, but our SF would be weak.

And yeah I think we all need a plumber for all these dreams we are having but its still fun.

[Dirkadirkastan]

Originally Posted by CanadianMavsFan

I'm never gonna sleep with Jessica Alba, but sometimes it's fun to talk about it.

Not the Alba thing again.

Who was it that brought that up last time?

[CanadianMavsFan]

Originally Posted by Dirkadirkastan

Not the Alba thing again.

Who was it that brought that up last time?

I don't even find Jessica Alba all that great TBH, I just thought it would be an analogy everyone would understand.

[mbaur]

I hope, Cuban do not buy the Cubs and concentraded to the Mavs for two years..

If Iguodala is coming in, then Josh can going out; but i want both, Iggy and Smith!

Monstertrade? If you read the press, '76 and the Hawks don't want pay the big money, bulls searching for bigs and want sending out one of Hughes/Gordon/Hinrich..

Damp/Jones for Hughes/Gray
Hughes/First '09 Pic for Iguodala/Evans
Josh/Evans for Smith/Claxton

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Iguodala wants 75 mil.....pretty steep but I guess his stats warrant it. Nearly 5 assists a game is impressive but his turnovers suck.

I dunno, I don't see Cuban giving Iggy that much money.

[Dirkenstien]

Don't expect anything from this front office. It's not worth the energy.

[mbaur]

Monstertrade II :-)

Damp/Evans/Hart for Hinrich/Nocioni from Bulls
Josh/Stack for Iguodala/Evans from ‘76
Terry/Jones for Bargnani/Humphries from Raptors
Bargnani/Nocioni for Smith/Claxton from Hawks
Claxton/George/'09 Pic for Haslem from Heat
Diop/Bass/Haslem for Kaman/Hart from Clippers

Kaman/Humphries
Nowitzki/Singleton
Smith/Green/Wrigth
Iguodala/Hinrich/Foster
Kidd/Hinrich/Barea

The money runs, the future runs, rings are possible and the shit smokes..

[mbaur]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

Iguodala wants 75 mil.....pretty steep but I guess his stats warrant it. Nearly 5 assists a game is impressive but his turnovers suck.

I dunno, I don't see Cuban giving Iggy that much money.

Salary Damp, Nowitzky, Bass, Josh, Stack, Terry, Kidd .. 77 Mio

Salary after Monstertrade: Kaman-10, Nowitzki-18, Smith-15, Iguodala-15,Kidd-21, Hinrich-10 .. 89 Mio

12 + 12 Tax = 24 Mio for a ring .. 1,3 Billion for the Cubs?

[mqywaaah]

I agree! Lets monstertrad! Or whatever it is that he calls it.

[SMC0007]

Doo. Doo hasst meche..

[CanadianMavsFan]

Originally Posted by mbaur

Monstertrade II :-)

Damp/Evans/Hart for Hinrich/Nocioni from Bulls
Josh/Stack for Iguodala/Evans from ‘76
Terry/Jones for Bargnani/Humphries from Raptors
Bargnani/Nocioni for Smith/Claxton from Hawks
Claxton/George/'09 Pic for Haslem from Heat
Diop/Bass/Haslem for Kaman/Hart from Clippers

Kaman/Humphries
Nowitzki/Singleton
Smith/Green/Wrigth
Iguodala/Hinrich/Foster
Kidd/Hinrich/Barea

The money runs, the future runs, rings are possible and the shit smokes..

Please these "monstertrades" just make my headache worse and no team in the right mind would make any of those trades wtih us. Let's stick to one trade at a time please.

[SMC0007]

I love the optimism but MBAUR is OOC with trades.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqr1u...eature=related

[craggmac]

I'd still much rather have Josh Smith. I've realized that we do not need to invest in any player that is going to heavily rely on Jason Kidd on offense. Reason being, their tenure here will surely overextend Kidd's. Josh Smith is a creator on offense so thats why I choose him.