Sixers, Golden State talking Iguodala
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Sixers, Golden State talking Iguodala
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The 76ers and Golden State Warriors have discussed a swap of swingman Andre Iguodala for shooting guard Monta Ellis. The potential trade is a straight-up swap because the salaries of the two players match closely enough that no other players need be involved.
Although there is no indication from any source that this deal is imminent, this is a trade that – if done – would be executed sooner rather than later. The timing of this trade is important because the Warriors’ draft strategy (they hold the No. 11 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft) would be altered if the trade were executed as stated above. The 2011 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 23, but almost all NBA teams are currently in the process of working out draft prospects. For the Warriors, trading their starting shooting guard would, by all accounts, require them to shift focus in the draft.
Again, this trade is not in its final stages, but there seems to be motivation to get it done – if it is to be executed at all – in the next 10 days. One factor to consider is Golden State’s recent hiring of head coach Mark Jackson and whether his addition, and his input, will affect a trade discussion that was already in motion.
This trade makes sense for both teams because the Sixers need a consistent perimeter scorer, while the Warriors need size and defense on the perimeter to complement point guard Stephen Curry. Also of note, Curry and Iguodala played together for the USA in last summer’s World Championships.
In the first part of our Sixers 2.0 series, which ran just over two weeks ago in the Sunday edition of the Inquirer, we outlined the scoring guards the Sixers would target in exchange for Iguodala. The No. 1 target on that list was Ellis – and for good reason. You can find that story here: Iguodala trade.
For the Sixers, the trade makes sense because they played the entirety of the 2010-11 season without a consistent scoring option from the perimeter. While second-year point guard Jrue Holiday blossomed, he is not yet an everyday scorer. In addition, starting shooting guard Jodie Meeks is streaky from the outside and Iguodala is more of a capable defender and facilitator than an all-star level scorer.
The drawback to dealing Iguodala is that the Sixers would be trading, by far, their best perimeter defender in exchange for a guy who stands 6-foot-X and is hardly known for his defense. The one thing to keep in mind with this swap is that it’s not an exact exchange in the starting lineup of Iguodala for Ellis. That is to say, Ellis would become the starting shooting guard, with Meeks moving to the bench. This would open up the starting small forward position, which would become a battle between Evan Turner and Thaddeus Young. So in essence, the Sixers are replacing Meeks with Ellis and Iguodala with either Turner or Young. They are not replacing Iguodala with Ellis.
If this trade were executed, it would leave the Sixers with a backcourt of Holiday, Ellis, and Turner or Holiday, Ellis, and Young.
--Kate
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Let's do the deal, Sixers. Monta Ellis is an exceptional scorer who can spread defenses in ways Iguodala can only dream of. Monta can always be benched for Meeks or Turner when the defense needs a boost. Iguodala has been signaling his desire to leave Philly since the very moment the season ended. Let's get him out of town if that's his wish and we get good value in return. Iguodala's poor attitude and lack of leadership on the court should make this trade a no-brainer.— Dion- Let's do the deal, Sixers. Monta Ellis is an exceptional scorer who can spread defenses in ways Iguodala can only dream of. Monta can always be benched for Meeks or Turner when the defense needs a boost. Iguodala has been signaling his desire to leave Philly since the very moment the season ended. Let's get him out of town if that's his wish and we get good value in return. Iguodala's poor attitude and lack of leadership on the court should make this trade a no-brainer.— Dion
- Let's do the deal, Sixers. Monta Ellis is an exceptional scorer who can spread defenses in ways Iguodala can only dream of. Monta can always be benched for Meeks or Turner when the defense needs a boost. Iguodala has been signaling his desire to leave Philly since the very moment the season ended. Let's get him out of town if that's his wish and we get good value in return. Iguodala's poor attitude and lack of leadership on the court should make this trade a no-brainer.— Dion
- I'm sorry. Any mention that this deal "makes sense" for the Sixers is a monumental error in judgement. Monta Ellis is an Iverson wanna be and I'm sick and tired of that isolation game. I prefer Collins' ball movement game. Monta Ellis is not 6-3, he is 6-1 and he can't play a lick of defense in a conference now with James and Wade. So, the decision is to go smaller, less athletic and, as a result, less competitive.
This would be an asinine decision.— PhilaPhans - This seems to good to be true. I can't believe Golden State would do this trade. Monta Ellis is a big time scorer. Andre is a solid citizen but.... he will never be a first option for any team.— reveugene
- you really think we're getting less athletic. given, iggy is a super freak but you forget this isn't iggy being replaced by ellis. this is meeks benched for ellis and iggy replaced by the either turner (the 3rd most athletic guy on the team) or young (the 2nd most athletic guy on the team). We're not losing athleticism. We're losing a little bit on defense for a lot of offense. people have got to stop looking at this as a straight up trade b/c it's not.— 76ers in 2076
- This is the best trade possible for the Sixers this offseason. Igoudala's defense is way overrated and Holiday's improvement as a faciltator will skyrocket without Igoudala handling the ball so much. This is Thaddeus Young's opportunity to become great and finally start at the 3. I love this trade! Make it happen!— MrMiles1
- I've always thought Ellis was great. He's burned the Sixers a few times. I'd prefer to see Lou Will step up and become the consistent scorer, but maybe the coaches know something I don't. I'd welcome Ellis. Assuming they get a big man somehow, it'd be exciting to have a rotation involving Jrue + Ellis + Lou Will + Meeks + ET + Thad + Brand + Hawes + big man via draft or free agency.— Leegles
- Complete this trade and add an intimdator in the post and we are a MORE TALENTED VERSION of the Chicago Bulls.— MrMiles1
- Monta is a genius on the offensive side (can drop 50 any game, any day). This is what we need, a #1 scoring option. Things will open up easier for jrue, ET, Thad, and Brand. Trade for Ellis and then sign/draft a PF/C type.— WR1978
- I agreed with Kate, of her list of 2's, Ellis was the logical choice. To those of you stating the obvious "we need a big man", no sh*! Sherlock. Unfortunately so does 17 other teams, there just aren't a lot of them out there and wishing won't make it so. If your #1 priority can't be attained you have to move to plan B, which is a perimeter shooter/scorer. This move will have a domino effect...
1. Once Iggy's traded we have no shot to move into the top 3 of the draft.
2. The difference in Iggy's and Ellis salary along with Kapono & Songala's money allows us to pay Thad and Hawes plus get some bench help.
3. Thad will not play 4 as much and will likely be the starting 3
4. This creates a glut of small guards, since Meeks doesn't have much trade value it could mean the end of Lou's career in Philly.
5. If both Iggy and Lou are moved all you Turner lovers will get your wish. He's going to see significantly more time.
Obviously this won't make us competitive with Miami but if 2 of the 3 younguns (Holiday, Thad, Turner) develop into borderline allstars and you have Ellis it will make the Sixers more attractive to 2013 free agents like Dwight Howard, Blake Griffin, Andrew Bynum or Al Jefferson.— mtairy1 - Always be wary of a guy who scores a lot for a bad team.— borncynic
- @ 76ers in 2076
Monta Ellis is a 6-1 skinny, non-defending scoring guard, NOT shooting guard. He plays below the rim, Even Turner plays below the rim. Thad Young does not like contact and is better as a PF. If you take Ellis, you're then locking in Jrue Holiday into having to guard Dwayne Wade, so you lose your size/athleticism advantage at PG, you're then putting Ellis on PGs and he's not quick enough or strong enough to handle bigger PGs.
Again. This team is trading size and athleticism at a time when size, strength and athleticism is at a premium in the NBA. You're making this team dependent on another UNDERSIZED SG in a league where teams have bigger scorers and defenders.
So, now they'd be 6-4 at PG, 6-1 at SG and 6-5 at SF(Turner) with Turner being among the least athletic SFs in the NBA. Hell, John Salmons laughs at Turner's lack of athleticism.
You need to build a team that can match up defensively with the Miami Heat. You can NOT try to match them in scoring, because their scorers are superior defenders. Jason Terry can't get off at ALL and that should scream at the Sixers.— PhilaPhans - This would be a disaster.It would be like having Allen Iverson back on the team and we don't need a 30 point with no defense man on this team.What we need is a BIG man that can score, rebound and can play some D.We should not making a trade unless it yield this team a player that makes sense. If this team want to trade him let it be for that 6'10 guy that can bang and score....look at Memphis, need to be patient and build on what we have.— nottus10
- The "smaller" scorer on this team should be Jrue Holiday, he's the budding star this team needs to develop. If Curry/Ellis doesn't work, at all, why the HELL would you want to do Holiday/Ellis?
I don't want Ellis stealing shots from Jrue Holiday when Holiday is a better "shooter". You need a 6-5 to 6-6 player at SG and you need to keep Andre Iguodala to guard LeBron James for the rest of his career. That is how you match the Heat, the Bulls and the Knicks, once they fill out their roster. If Dalembert goes to NY and they address their PG position, look the hell out. Dalembert could also wind up in Miami, which would also be a problem.— PhilaPhans
John Mitchell is in his second year covering the 76ers for the Inquirer after joining the paper in November 2011. He covered the Washington Wizards for the Washington Times from 1998 to 2008. He's also worked at the Philadelphia Tribune, the Wilmington News Journal, Courier-Post, Trenton Times and Elmira Star-Gazette.Born and raised in West Philadelphia - not too far from Will Smith - he graduated from Overbrook High School the same year the 76ers won their last championship. He's a proud graduate of Howard University and the proud father of two sons, Jared and Jordan.
ABOUT MARC NARDUCCI
Marc Narducci has served in a variety of roles with the Inquirer since beginning in 1983. He has covered the 76ers as a backup and a beat writer. In addition, Narducci has covered everything from the Super Bowl to the World Series and a lot in between. Narducci also has a true passion for South Jersey scholastic sports, which he has covered for many years.
