Phil Jasner: Trade deadline rumblings for Sixers

HERE'S WHAT YOU REALLY need to know about the NBA trade deadline:

It's Feb. 18 at 3 p.m.

Between now and then, you will read and hear dozens of rumors involving the 76ers. Some will have validity, others will not. Remember, there are Web sites devoted to having something different every day. I'd be more inclined to pay attention to ones in which people actually sign their names and take responsibility.

That's not to say anyone is inventing anything. It's not unusual for teams or agents to send out trial balloons, just to see how the media and the public might respond.

But here's what you really need to know. Teams won't start putting their best offers on the table until, say, 2:30 p.m., Feb. 18.

Maybe 2:45.

Maybe 2:55.

Maybe a few general managers will even ask the NBA office for an extension because they have discussions under way but might not be able to finalize a deal until after 3 p.m.

To me, that means if there's going to be a bidding war for Andre Iguodala, it might not begin in earnest until then. And that's assuming that, between now and then, the Sixers remain interested in trading their best player. Or even whether they remain interested in trading Samuel Dalembert. (Last time I checked, they really don't have another center or another player capable of consistent double-figure rebounding and consistent shot-blocking.)

I can't tell you I hear everything, but I do hear some things. We all have "sources;" some are more reliable than others. I have a handful that I trust implicitly. Still, I can't guarantee the information is totally pure, but here is some of it:

While the speculation revolving around Iguodala has been most prevalent lately, one of my sources who is familiar with the situations of the Sixers and the Houston Rockets suggests that the Sixers "are not prepared to break up their team."

Could be.

But I believe the Sixers have had conversations with Cleveland, which apparently is interested in giving LeBron James one more significant piece. There have been stories that the Cavaliers have focused, in some order, on Washington's Antawn Jamison, Indiana's Troy Murphy and Iguodala. Oh, and there have also been Iguodala mentions in Sacramento and Dallas.

I thought the Cavs would have a dilemma with Iguodala, who has 4 years and $56.4 million left on his contract. How, exactly, would they feel if they acquired Iguodala to help James, and then - after the season - James decided to leave in free agency? How would they then feel about having Iguodala's contract?

I'm told by a source familiar with the Sixers' thinking, "Teams around the league are not put off by that contract."

At the same time, there have been talks with Phoenix (and probably every other team). The Suns, for example, are supposedly interested in taking Iguodala and Dalembert for Amare Stoudemire ($17.7 million next season, with a right to terminate early, with a contract that reportedly includes a trade kicker). The Rockets were said to have renewed interest in Iguodala and Dalembert for Tracy McGrady's expiring $23 million contract.

My source described the Suns and Rockets rumors as "old news," as if to say there's nothing substantial with either team, at least for now. Comcast SportsNet reported that, according to a source, the Suns "desperately want Iguodala."

Ed Stefanski, the Sixers president/general manager, has said repeatedly he will only make a "basketball deal." He doesn't want just an expiring contract; he wants to acquire players who can help his team. Does a rumored Phoenix deal that could include the Suns' Leandro Barbosa and/or Jason Richardson make the Sixers better? Does it help their cap situation? How much would it change the locker-room dynamic and/or on-court chemistry?

Would they, in fact, be better? And have a better future?

Dallas' Josh Howard for Iguodala? I'm not certain how much there is to that one.

Iguodala, Dalembert and Elton Brand have basically shrugged at each new mention.

Asked whether he pays attention, Brand smiled and said, "Yes and no. Other people let me know, even teammates."

"I understand it could happen," he added. "I know there's probably something to [the speculation] because of our record. We're definitely underachieving. When that happens, you're going to hear that kind of thing.

"We're playing pretty good right now . . .

we're kind of clicking."

But do the Sixers need to make a trade?

"I don't know yet," he said.

They probably do need to make a deal. But it's unlikely to happen before Feb. 18.

And probably not before 2:30 that afternoon.

Or even later.

Send e-mail to jasnerp@phillynews.com