Post by sep on May 18, 2006 19:32:30 GMT -5
The problem for the Hawks is that without a great free agent point guard crop, the team would suffer through another year without a solid floor leader.
However, Knight might have a plan there, too. The Hawks roll into the summer with roughly $15 million of cap space and are considering passing the free agent market altogether and make a trade pitch to the 76ers for Allen Iverson.
Knight knows he needs to start adding some star power to the team and Iverson would be a good complement to Joe Johnson in the backcourt.
The Hawks might have the goods to pull it off. Knight could offer Harrington (in a sign-and-trade) and one of their young players (Josh Childress or the draft rights to this year's lottery pick) for Iverson.
That would free up some of the logjam at the three and four and fill in a serious hole in the Hawks' backcourt.
If the Sixers are intent on moving Iverson this summer, they'd have to seriously consider an offer like that. There aren't many teams willing to give up much to bring Iverson into the fold -- but Atlanta might actually be a decent fit.
While Iverson wouldn't be the long-term solution for the Hawks, he could add an air of respectability to the team for the next three years while their young players like Josh Smith and Williams develop. Say what you will about Iverson and his practice habits, but he plays hard, fights through injuries and tries to win every game he plays in. For a young team like the Hawks, that would mean something.
Another factor that might work in the Hawks' favor is the fact that their head coach, Mike Woodson, was an assistant coach for the Sixers from 2001 to 2003. The same source said Woodson has a good relationship with Iverson and would be willing to take him into the fold Given how few coaches in the league actually could handle AI, that's a plus.
Perhaps most important to the Hawks' owners, he'll sell a few tickets. Last season the Hawks ranked 29th in the league in attendance. The Sixers, on the other hand, had the fifth largest-road draw in the league.
While Iverson has lost a little of his luster over the past few years, he still puts people in the seats.
Whether any of this plays out the way the Hawks intend is anyone's guess at this point. There's no guarantee that Bargnani is around when they pick at No. 4. No guarantee that the Sixers, as they have done the past few seasons, won't decide to hang onto Iverson and give him and Chris Webber one more shot at a title.
But at a time in Hawks history when morale is very low, it's nice to see glimmers of intelligent life emanating from one of the NBA's black holes.
However, Knight might have a plan there, too. The Hawks roll into the summer with roughly $15 million of cap space and are considering passing the free agent market altogether and make a trade pitch to the 76ers for Allen Iverson.
Knight knows he needs to start adding some star power to the team and Iverson would be a good complement to Joe Johnson in the backcourt.
The Hawks might have the goods to pull it off. Knight could offer Harrington (in a sign-and-trade) and one of their young players (Josh Childress or the draft rights to this year's lottery pick) for Iverson.
That would free up some of the logjam at the three and four and fill in a serious hole in the Hawks' backcourt.
If the Sixers are intent on moving Iverson this summer, they'd have to seriously consider an offer like that. There aren't many teams willing to give up much to bring Iverson into the fold -- but Atlanta might actually be a decent fit.
While Iverson wouldn't be the long-term solution for the Hawks, he could add an air of respectability to the team for the next three years while their young players like Josh Smith and Williams develop. Say what you will about Iverson and his practice habits, but he plays hard, fights through injuries and tries to win every game he plays in. For a young team like the Hawks, that would mean something.
Another factor that might work in the Hawks' favor is the fact that their head coach, Mike Woodson, was an assistant coach for the Sixers from 2001 to 2003. The same source said Woodson has a good relationship with Iverson and would be willing to take him into the fold Given how few coaches in the league actually could handle AI, that's a plus.
Perhaps most important to the Hawks' owners, he'll sell a few tickets. Last season the Hawks ranked 29th in the league in attendance. The Sixers, on the other hand, had the fifth largest-road draw in the league.
While Iverson has lost a little of his luster over the past few years, he still puts people in the seats.
Whether any of this plays out the way the Hawks intend is anyone's guess at this point. There's no guarantee that Bargnani is around when they pick at No. 4. No guarantee that the Sixers, as they have done the past few seasons, won't decide to hang onto Iverson and give him and Chris Webber one more shot at a title.
But at a time in Hawks history when morale is very low, it's nice to see glimmers of intelligent life emanating from one of the NBA's black holes.
Even if it doesnt happen, im extremely excited about the possibility.
. IF this trade went through, it would make the Bulls schedule tougher, and it might make the Hawks into a contender.... for the 8th playoff spot.
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