ESPN News along with Marc Stein and Chris Sheridan reported earlier today that Denver and Philadelphia have reached an agreement that will send Allen Iverson to the Nuggets in exchange for Andre Miller, the much traveled Joe Smith and two 2007 first-round picks.
The Sixers had been hoping to take back only expiring contracts in any Iverson deal, unless they were receiving a top-flight young player like Minnesota’s Randy Foye or Shaun Livingston of the Los Angeles Clippers
But with Philly and Denver struggling to find a third team to join in to make the deal more financially enticing for the Sixers, they decided to end an auction that began in earnest when Iverson’s demand to be traded was confirmed by Sixers chairman Ed Snider on Dec. 8.
It’ll be interesting to see if there are enough shots to go around when Carmelo Anthony returns from suspension, but we might also assume Iverson’s assists will increase if he’s got a legit no. 1 scoring option to distribute to.
Not only are the Nuggets hellbent on a title, this-year-or-else, but they’ll be paying crazy luxury taxes on top.
Suddenly, the Sixers are sitting on 3 first rounders in what might be a ridiculously deep 2007 draft. If Philly doesn’t win the Greg Oden lottery, Billy King might be sitting on enough ammo to move up. And he could’ve done much, much worse than to acquire Andre Miller as a floor general.
I wouldn’t be shocked if this deal was followed by Earl Boykins changing uniforms. Not necessarily changing teams, just changing uniforms. You can’t wear the same one every day.
I’m not a big Billy King fan and would be happy for somebody else to oversee
those 3 first round picks in 2007, but I will give him his due for this deal. At least this one doesn’t look as lopsided as past forced trades of Philly star players (Dick Allen, Barkley, Schilling, Rolen).