As the NBA offseason approaches, it’s time to take a look back at NBA history. The Philadelphia 76ers and take a look at some of the moments that defined the franchise at that time.
This edition goes back in time to 2006, when the Sixers were looking to get rid of franchise icon Allen Iverson. The organization had fallen back to a standstill and management needed to do something to start moving forward again.
There was a point where the Sixers almost sent Iverson to their division rival, the Boston CelticsAnd by Marc Steinthe options were either the Minnesota Timberwolves or the Celtics:
Iverson reportedly would be happy to join Minnesota or Boston, but the issues facing the Wolves and Celtics have not changed. The Wolves do not have a first-round pick to pair with the young point guard Philly is looking for (formerly of Villanova). Randy Foye) and the Celts (so far) can’t convince Philly to take the daunting step of trading Iverson within its own division unless it includes Al Jefferson and/or Gerald Green in the case.
Of course, the Sixers ended up sending Iverson to Denver Nuggets in an agreement that earned them Andre Miller among other pieces, but if Philadelphia had sent The Answer to Boston, one wonders how NBA history would have been changed.
Iverson would have joined a Celtics team that included Paul Pierce, Tony Allenand a young man Rajon RondoOne wonders what a trio of Iverson, Rondo and Pierce would have produced for the Celtics while Philadelphia moved forward with Al Jefferson and Andre Iguodala as a fulcrum. Jefferson had a very solid career as a classic big man with his back to the basket.
This article was originally published on Sixers Wire: A Look Back at When the Sixers Almost Traded Allen Iverson to the Celtics