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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They should also see if they can get the Golden State #1 as well— eric300- Umm, no they shouldn't. According to the numbers posted on hoopshype.com, Ellis is making $22M over the next 2 seasons with a player option of $11M for 2014-15. Iguadola is making $28M over the next 2 seasons with a $16M player option in 2014-15.
Golden State isn't kicking in a lottery pick when they're already giving you a player that's two years younger and making $6M less over the next two seasons with a player option that's $5M less. If anything, the Sixers will be kicking in a pick (though, I couldn't see it being a first rounder).— Billy The Kid - Then there's no point in making this trade. He's not going to provide enough cap relief to allow us sign a decent player and he hurts this team on both ends of the floor. — kundithomas
- My point wasn't that the move would provide salary cap relief, my point is that the Sixers aren't getting a lottery pick on top of a younger, cheaper player.
...and how, exactly, does Monte Ellis hurt this team at both ends of the floor? Ellis would be your starting 2 guard, which is an enormous upgrade over Jodie Meeks. Iguadola's spot would conceivably be taken by Turner or Young. I will grant you that they'd be worse defensively, but don't tell me this team wouldn't be better offensiively. That's just not true.
— Billy The Kid - Dear Sixers: if you're reading this, please don't execute this trade. Ellis is OK, but he only scores alot because he shoots alot. Iggy is a clearly better player. Please focus on a big man.— sesser
- Seemingly like it's going to happen, unfortunately. Your right though sesser, Ellis is a ballhog whom cannot play off the ball, hence his shot attempts, even if he's decent average-wise. Not sold he's a real threat from distance just yet, not from one year. — BlackFeet01
- Iggy is the better player, but we need somebody who can score. And Ellis is the best consistent scorer.
I think Turner and Young would be able to step up their defense, in addition if getting a defensive big in the draft will also offset the loss of Iggy on the defensive end.— dervin - Agreed. Jrue is a good defender, Turner is a good defender and will only improve. I don't think sixers are losing as much defense as we may think. Hopefully they can get an athletic , d-minded, big man (Tyson Chandler type guy). Young should remain a spark off the bench, I think that role fits him great. Not sure if they can land Chandler or if he'll even leave Dallas but a starting 5 of Jrue/Ellis/Turner/Brand/Chandler would be fine by me... — lkaboss
- Ellis is volume scorer, not an efficient one. Evan Turner is not athletic or big enough to defend and score against other small forwards. Thaddeus is not a small forward, he needs to use his quickness against slow PFs to be useful. This trade would be disastrous.
Ellis is just a slighlty better version of Lou. He dominates the ball and would take opportunities away from Jrue and Evan. Do you think that Andre is hindering Jrue and Evan's development? Well wait and see what Monte does.
— kundithomas - Yeah, he really held down Steph Curry out there in the Bay Area to the tune of 19 ppg and 6 apg...and to say Ellis is a "slightly better" version of Lou Williams is like saying LeBron is a "slightly better" version of Iguadola. Please...Monte Ellis would eat Lou Williams' lunch.
You did watch that playoff series against Miami, right? I don't know about you, but I saw a team that couldn't score when they needed to most. I understand you need to play defense in the NBA, but you sure as heck need to score the ball too.
The contracts between the two are the same length, but the Sixers would save money here. The other option is to watch the same group go out and win somewhere between 36 and 43 games and get smoked in the first round by Boston/Chicago/Miami/Orlando. I'm tired of the same old Sixers putting out the same product. This move certainly makes them more interesting at the very least.— Billy The Kid - Tuner is not a 3— andrewc23
- I think Rod Thorn and Doug Collins are smart enough to make the right choice. Lets let is play out. We need a guy who can score 30 on any given night. And speaking of volume scorers, what was Iverson???? Much better cast of characters here now then what he had.— MrSmithTP
- Like I said, the only way to trade Iguodala is too take back garbage. Ellis is a gunner who plays zero defense and gets paid too much. Another move that will mire the Sixers in mediocrity for more years. The only way is too tear down, get cap space, wait for a superstar to become a free agent and to woo him. Or get a top pick like Durant instead of bad luck like Turner.— JonKap
- Even if this trade goes down the Sixers still need a big man in the middle who can score, play D and block shots. Where will they get him, in the draft?— The Marco Islander
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.
