Topic for Discussion: Iverson next off-season?

[billfromBoston]

Things are slow, so I thought i'd look ahead to a potential value pick-up for next off-season.

AI is unlikely to get an extension from Denver, based on their cost-cutting mentality I think they want to re-constitute their roster and AI doesn't seem to conducive to that plan.

Iverson, despite his soon-to-be 34 year old age status, is coming off his most efficient statistical year:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... sal01.html

However, at his age and without a ring to show for his great career, AI may very well entertain the idea of signing with a contender for the MLE...if he would take a 2-3 year deal he could be an ideal fit.

The man continues to churn out 40+ minute seasons with apparently no effect on his ability...he shoots more and drives less, but his numbers get better from the field as he ages and adapts...as the backup 1/2 behind Rondo and Ray Allen, Iverson could be just the type of off-the-bench contributor that would maximize the GPA window of dominance with very little effect on the cap.

A MLE deal also represents a very movable contract and gives the team the possability of moving Ray Allen's deal for a younger star player as well.

I know there's slim-pickings on the forum front these days, so this is why I bring this up. Ainge has already expressed interest in Iverson before and he clearly looks like he's capable of being a top bench scorer in the least during his latter years...in 25-30 mpg off the bench, Iverson could virtually guarantee the Celtics would be in the finals over the time he and GPA were on the court together...

I know some won't like his game, but i've found that every time I watch him in an All-Star game or during the Olympic run he had, Iverson is a much better team player than he's given credit for...his role has been to score, and earlier in his career I think he NEEDED it, but now the "ring is the thing" for him and it could be a very viable pick-up come next off-season.

Considering the Celtics interest in Corey Maggette, it seems feasible that the team may make an offer...with all the talk of "windows" and all the speculation into player development and future moves to "extend the window" it seems like this is a fairly obvious and quite plausible scenario based on the parties involved, their needs, and the timing of it all...
...thoughts?

[bceltic55]

Pass

[ryaningf]

Good topic, Bill.

I'd welcome AI at the MLE with open arms. I'm not sure how realistic it is at this point, almost 10 and a half months before 2009 free agency begins, but it's a nice thought. I agree that Denver might let him go, but they should at least explore his value at the trading deadline if that's the case. And I'm not sure how excited he'd be to come off the bench here in Boston, even if a championship was in the offing, but he's still a definite fit on this team. I think the greatest possiblity of him coming here would be if Ray's expiring contract is moved for other, younger, dynasty-stretching pieces. Then AI could come in, and take over at the 2 and we wouldn't miss a beat and he'd get the minutes he deserves. We were all pleasantly surprised when Paul/KG/Ray were able to share the ball, but adding AI to that delicate mix might be asking for trouble, though if any foursome could do it, I would think it'd be that foursome.

We don't have to limit this topic to Iverson. There are several veteran All-Stars available next summer, and I'm sure Danny will want target one of them at least and see if the Celtic mystique and championship atmosphere gets a some bites. J-Kidd or Rasheed Wallace, for example, might be better fits if we keep Ray in the fold. Wallace especially would really open up some options for Doc off the bench. Kidd, I think, is much much closer to the end of his career than we realize, so I'm not sure how excited I'd be with his addition. But he'd be a good mentor for Rondo and he'd get us some easy bucket opportunities on the break.

[leper-con]

one thing I have noticed about Ainge and ownership is that they don't mind spending the money if the value is there. In Iversons case, we know Danny loves his heart, hussle and brain type. He has a prior relationship in trying to trade for him until the value of players going out didn't eqaul the value of the player(s) coming in. Who better to add for the MLE? HE would also become aurguably the 3rd or 4th best Celtic on the team. This would be a very Auerbachian move by Danny to keep the C's in title contention.

On a side note: Buy out candidates:
I would also look at veteran buy outs this coming year. I have a feeling we may get Joe Smith. Three different teams in three years. Look for him to join KG on the C's this year.

[greenbeans]

completely behind you BfB, he'd be the PERFECT fit off the bench for 20-30min a night to finish up his career here. I actually see him taking the MLE and filling that role in Philly though.

[SonicYouth34]

If he could settle for a sixth man role, I'd be all for it. A back court of Rondo-Ray-AI-TA is nasty.

[Bad-Thoma]

I'm not a huge AI fan, but it has more to do with his career early on, being a saturation scorer. His game has become less selfish. If the situation panned out as BFB has presented it I'd be all over it.

[Prophet_C]

completely behind you BfB, he'd be the PERFECT fit off the bench for 20-30min a night to finish up his career here. I actually see him taking the MLE and filling that role in Philly though.

Good point. That actually makes a lot of sense especially since they have a deep playoff caliber team.

[Celtsfan1980]

It depends. If Powe is signed for $4 million or so, I think it's pretty much out of the question that they'll spend another $6 million. It is a possibility that they could sign Big Baby for a smaller contract and sign Iverson, which would mean House is likely gone. It depends on what else happens with the other players that they look at signing.

[captain_cheapseats]

Iverson is one of my absolute favorite non-Celtics of all-time, so for me the entertainment value alone would make this a no-brainer.

[Jammer]

Saw this coming months before your post today.

The key is IF A.I. will take a 2 to 3 year deal.

If so, of course, he'll be signed for the full MLE, with 8% raises.

That's a big if.

And the Celtics will be hoping for BIll Walker/Ray Allen/Tony Allen and at times possibly even Scal to provide backup SF minutes, with one of the Allens and Givens filling in the rest of the SG minutes.

[Jammer]

Does anyone remember the Red Auerback interview that was posted on NBA.com in early March 2000 where Red was asked if he could have any 5 current NBA players, that he would have to coach, who would they be?

Red's response on NBA.com, the first week of March 2000 (before the Lakers had won their first Shaq-Kobe championship that season), were:

Kevin Garnett
Tim Duncan
Shaq
Kobe
Allen iverson

Iverson's team went to the finals that year, losing to the Fakers.

Kobe announced to the world he was ready to assume a perennial First Team All NBA spot.

Red got won of theose players in Celtic green.

Allen Iverson would make two.

[Jimmy103]

I would love to see Allen Iverson in Celtic Green

The ironic part would be Pierce-Garnett-Allen would be approaching the same age as Hakeem and Clyde when they teamed up for the Rockets 2nd title...AI could hop on for what could be the Celtics 3rd.

Has Iverson commented at all on what his intentions are? Doesn't seem like a Gilbert Arenas type to have a blog detailing his every movement, so I wasn't sure.

[Rocky5000]

Wow, I didn't realize he was that old. I guess another big contract is probably out of the question for him. If he wants to come play for us and come off the bench, I'm all for it, but I'm not sure he's the type of a player who would agree to something like that. How many more years do you think he will be able to play?

[Tricky Ricky]

I think he will go back to Philly and contend for a ring there, Id love him in Green though

[MyInsatiableOne]

Maybe I'm being contrarian, but nope, not interested...

[elrod enchilada]

I like this thinking, BfB.Iverson is ideal for the 3rd guard role. Obvious issues, as noted: whether he would do it. (I think he will be game, and few if any NBA teams will go over the MLE for him. Europe may be another matter, becasue he puts fannies in the seats, as they say.)

Also: how does the Cs bench develop this year? We may not need him that badly.

I have never been a huge AI fan, but you made all the correct observations about him, as have others in this thread. AI was made for the Vinnie Johnson-Fred Brown-Andrew Toney role.

[Truthiracy]

I don't really want that crackhead on the Celtics

[GuyClinch]

It depends how Rondo develops, IMHO. If he stagnates bringing in Iverson at the right price is an intriguing idea. It would mirror the Tiny Archibald move of Red back in the day so I think Danny might be attracted to it..

Pete

[Dave_From_NB]

The way it is stacking up, we're pretty log jammed at the 1 and 2, with the liklihood that Pruitt and Giddens will be deserving of increasing minutes (in 2009/2010). If team option for Pruitt and player option for House are both executed, we'd have Rondo, Pruitt, House, TA, RA, Giddens already at the 1/2.

Given that Powe and Davis are both on expiring contracts now, I think next summers FA targets are no shorter than about 6' 8", and anyone brought in plays a forward position.

Of course if Ainge trades some players or House/Pruitt options aren't picked up it opens things up, but I think AI is no where near a target next season.