The Sixers yesterday finally pulled the trigger on AI and sent him to a desperate Nuggets team searching for the 'Answer' to their needs. Here's a Quick Recap of the trade on both sides and how to evaluate whether it was a success or failure for each franchise.
Sixers Recap
Two draft picks sound nice, but when you realize that they are the Nuggets and Mavericks draft picks and are destined to be the 22nd and 29th picks in the draft you have to wonder whether it was worth it. They will only clear half of AI's cap space after this season, with Andre Miller being on the roster for half AI's price for 2 more seasons, and they do not receive a player of Livingston or Foye's caliber even JR Smith would have made sense. In addition picking up Joe Smith and Andre Miller at this point of the season should help the Sixers win some games, and thus hurt their chances of landing Greg Oden or Kevin Durant in the draft. The Sixers should have waited until they got a solid NBA young guy now, and not relied on hoping the Nuggets tank the second half of the season giving them a lottery or teens pick. Waiting would also, firmly established the best chances of getting Greg Oden. I think the move could work out in the favor of the Sixers but really I think they could have done better, considering they did give up one of the best players of his generation.
How this Trade Becomes a Winner: Nuggets still suck even with AI and fail to make the playoffs, giving the Sixers two lottery picks.
How this Trade Fails: Nuggets play well down the stretch and the Sixers receive a low 20s pick, while the Sixers play well enough where they decrease their lottery percentages and end up without Oden or Durant.
Nuggets Recap
The Nuggets pulled off a panic move. With Carmelo and JR out for extended periods of time the Nuggets need scoring, badly, to keep their playoff hopes alive. AI will certainly be able to fill that void for the time being. But could you imagine a backcourt of Earl Boykins and AI, would they be able to guard any team in the NBA. Eventually when Carmelo comes back will Iverson, JR, and Melo be able the mesh? All are really score first players and provide littely benefits outside of their scoring abilities. Also, with the trade of Andre Miller, who plays point guard for this team, Iverson, Boykins? Like I said previously, how could you seriously have Iverson and Boykins on the floor at the same time and remotely think you are going to stop someone on defense. It was certainly a panic move on the Nuggets behalf, I think it will help them salvage some victories in Carmelo's absense and most likely a playoff spot. But will it amass to a deep playoff run in any of the next 3 seasons, I just don't see it.
How this Trade Becomes a Winner: Make the Playoffs this season, thus not losing a top draft pick. Mesh in the offseason and advance deep in the postseason in either the 08 or 09 playoffs.
How this Trade Fails: Miss playoffs this season thus forfeit a top pick. Ball Fueding in the next two seasons between Melo and AI as the phrase "There's only one ball to go around" is uttered by every color commentator doing a Nugget game.
The Last Word
In the end I don't really like the trade for either of these teams. I think the Sixers pulled the trigger too early and settled for the hope of a lottery pick, and failed to clear up all of AI's contract. This trade for the Nuggets does not make them an elite team in the Western Conference, it only fills the hole on their roster during the Carmelo, JR suspension. After that I just don't foresee it working and see either Iverson or Melo being frustrated that they aren't the go to guy at the end of games.
Sixers Recap
Two draft picks sound nice, but when you realize that they are the Nuggets and Mavericks draft picks and are destined to be the 22nd and 29th picks in the draft you have to wonder whether it was worth it. They will only clear half of AI's cap space after this season, with Andre Miller being on the roster for half AI's price for 2 more seasons, and they do not receive a player of Livingston or Foye's caliber even JR Smith would have made sense. In addition picking up Joe Smith and Andre Miller at this point of the season should help the Sixers win some games, and thus hurt their chances of landing Greg Oden or Kevin Durant in the draft. The Sixers should have waited until they got a solid NBA young guy now, and not relied on hoping the Nuggets tank the second half of the season giving them a lottery or teens pick. Waiting would also, firmly established the best chances of getting Greg Oden. I think the move could work out in the favor of the Sixers but really I think they could have done better, considering they did give up one of the best players of his generation.How this Trade Becomes a Winner: Nuggets still suck even with AI and fail to make the playoffs, giving the Sixers two lottery picks.
How this Trade Fails: Nuggets play well down the stretch and the Sixers receive a low 20s pick, while the Sixers play well enough where they decrease their lottery percentages and end up without Oden or Durant.
Nuggets Recap
The Nuggets pulled off a panic move. With Carmelo and JR out for extended periods of time the Nuggets need scoring, badly, to keep their playoff hopes alive. AI will certainly be able to fill that void for the time being. But could you imagine a backcourt of Earl Boykins and AI, would they be able to guard any team in the NBA. Eventually when Carmelo comes back will Iverson, JR, and Melo be able the mesh? All are really score first players and provide littely benefits outside of their scoring abilities. Also, with the trade of Andre Miller, who plays point guard for this team, Iverson, Boykins? Like I said previously, how could you seriously have Iverson and Boykins on the floor at the same time and remotely think you are going to stop someone on defense. It was certainly a panic move on the Nuggets behalf, I think it will help them salvage some victories in Carmelo's absense and most likely a playoff spot. But will it amass to a deep playoff run in any of the next 3 seasons, I just don't see it.How this Trade Becomes a Winner: Make the Playoffs this season, thus not losing a top draft pick. Mesh in the offseason and advance deep in the postseason in either the 08 or 09 playoffs.
How this Trade Fails: Miss playoffs this season thus forfeit a top pick. Ball Fueding in the next two seasons between Melo and AI as the phrase "There's only one ball to go around" is uttered by every color commentator doing a Nugget game.
The Last Word
In the end I don't really like the trade for either of these teams. I think the Sixers pulled the trigger too early and settled for the hope of a lottery pick, and failed to clear up all of AI's contract. This trade for the Nuggets does not make them an elite team in the Western Conference, it only fills the hole on their roster during the Carmelo, JR suspension. After that I just don't foresee it working and see either Iverson or Melo being frustrated that they aren't the go to guy at the end of games.
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