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Nuggets' Iverson realizes he could be traded, too

Camby trade came as 'kind of a shock'

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published September 24, 2008 at 9 p.m.

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Iverson wonders how Camby became expendable.

Iverson wonders how Camby became expendable.

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Since the Nuggets went into a cost-cutting mode during the summer and traded Marcus Camby to the Clippers for next to nothing, many have wondered: Could Allen Iverson be the next big-dollar player to go?

Including Iverson.

"It's a possibility," Iverson said in an interview Wednesday with the Rocky after working out Wednesday with teammates at the Pepsi Center. "We'll just see what happens. I wouldn't be upset either way because it's a business. . . . The one thing about a trade is when somebody trades for you, they want you. That's what you want as an athlete."

With Iverson, the Nuggets' highest-paid player at $20.84 million, entering the final year of his contract, many believe he could be dealt by the February trading deadline because the Nuggets wouldn't want to risk losing him for nothing when he becomes a free agent in July. He could be very attractive to a team seeking salary-cap room in 2009.

While Iverson said his "first choice" remains to stay with the Nuggets and "sign back" with them in the summer, he said "that situation" with Camby has made him believe he could be dealt. He also has talked with his representatives.

"My agent (Leon Rose) and my manager (Gary Moore), they let me know (being traded is) a possibility," Iverson said. "But that's not something that I concern myself with. I go out and play as hard as I can and whatever happens, happens."

Nuggets executive Mark Warkentien declined comment. Nuggets coach George Karl was asked about the possibility of Iverson being dealt by the trading deadline.

"I don't think that's on the table, but you never know what the league will deliver you," Karl said. "You never know what packages will come your way."

As for Iverson being back with Denver in 2009-10, Karl quipped, "I don't think any of us might be here (if the Nuggets don't have playoff success after five straight first-round exits)."

Iverson during the summer was willing to opt out of the final season of his contract and sign a multiyear deal with the Nuggets. His camp even presented the option of Iverson playing for less money this season, but the Nuggets never came back with an offer.

"I was kind of bothered by it," Iverson said. "Being the fact that, from the time that I got here (in December 2006), I gave them everything I had. Obviously, I did some good things. . . . I thought they would at least make an offer for me to turn down. I thought they'd at least offer me a dollar or something.

"But there aren't no hard feelings. I feel like there are good people around here. They have their reasons for why they didn't do anything, just like they got their reasons for what they did with Marcus."

Iverson said he's "set for life" and "obviously . . . would consider" taking a pay cut next season.

"It's a good feeling because this will be the first time that I'll be a free agent," the 33-year-old, 12-year veteran said. "It's something different in my career. . . . Next summer, it's going to be a fun time for me because I get to weigh my options and go wherever I want to go."

While Iverson's preference is to be with the Nuggets in 2009-10, the Camby trade has created more uncertainty.

"It was kind of a shock," Iverson said of the deal in which Camby was sent to the Clippers for the right to swap second-round picks in 2010 and a $10 million trade exception. "I didn't expect it. . . . We didn't get any players, right? That was probably the strangest part of it all. . . . Like everybody else, you sit around and wonder like, 'Why did it happen and how could something like that happen.' But, like I said, it's a business."

Iverson will see if the business of basketball results in his having a new address come February.

"If I go somewhere else, it's going to be 20,000 more people that's going to watch me play as hard as I can, night in, night out," he said.

Comments

  • September 24, 2008

    11:12 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    LaszloPanaflex writes:

    No stash. The Sixers found the only dupes in the league.

  • September 25, 2008

    7:19 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    gatengreen writes:

    Gee, then who would dribble around until the shot clock has run down, drive into the lane and try to make an impossible pass, then yell at the ref for not bailing him out with a foul call?

  • September 25, 2008

    10:31 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Polmykel writes:

    if ever you A.I will be traded or will become a free agent, i think d sixers should have him back, with 2 A.I's (iverson & iggy) in the game plus elton brand i think it will be a perfect year for the sixers and they can have a good playoff run. Its good if A.I will get back where he belongs!! The sixers fans love him so much, it's a different IVERSON when he was wearing a SIXER uniform... I know that the sixers added new players but they can deal iverson back HOME!! King is out Ed Stefanski as a new Gen Manager and Pres. Should bring back what the people want.. I hope it would be not a business matter only, but bringing back the ICON of the Sixers!!

  • September 25, 2008

    10:42 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Coffee_Mug writes:

    Tatoo needs to be sent on down the road. I'm sure the Nugs could find someone to dribble the ball around for almost the entire shot clock and then put up a bad shot or make a bad pass for a lot less money. He should have been gone long before Camby should have. Good luck boys and god speed.

  • September 25, 2008

    12:14 p.m.

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    telane writes:

    y is u guys hatin' on iverson? where else can u find a players who probably isn't even 6 foot, who can average 30 any given season... he led the league in scoring 4 times. no other players in the league today can say that. he led the league in steals 3 straight seasons. no other player in history can say that. you can call him a gunner, but for him to even be able to get them shots off at his height is amazing, and it throws the defense off. he only dribbles so much because he's always gettin' doubled and tripled teamed. when you're that short you have to dribble away from double teams cause you can't pass it over them... respect a.i. and quit hatin', haters. if a.i. wasn't on that team they wouldn't even make da playoffs.

  • September 25, 2008

    2:20 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    chill134 writes:

    Iverson is one of the best point guards in the league, period. check the stats folks, they don't lie.

  • September 25, 2008

    3:02 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    tabs2020 writes:

    I didn't know you guys were experts. Which NBA teams are you trying out for?

  • September 25, 2008

    5:26 p.m.

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    sdbroncfan writes:

    chill134 and tabs2020, you guys are right on. AI has heart and he plays hard all the time, he can score and he makes other people better. What we need is a solid big who can bang the middle, rebound and score in the low to mid 10's night in and night out. Let's let it play out.

  • September 25, 2008

    7:25 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Broncody writes:

    How is dribbling around and causing defenses to shift and adjust (which causes defenses to make mistakes and leave shooters open) a bad thing? Not many people in the world can get into the lane and give the defenses headaches like Iverson can. He always gives 100%. Why hate on him?

  • September 25, 2008

    8:50 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    tabs2020 writes:

    When Steve Nash dribbles around trying to make something happens, it's the greatest thing...it's called "keeping your dribble alive". When Iverson does it, "he's killing the clock". AI had arguably his best season ever this past year and yet the same criticisms abound..."he shoots too much", or "dribbles too much", or "doesn't pass enough"...his numbers don't seem to confirm that, but hey, who should care about a little thing called the truth?

  • September 25, 2008

    9:58 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Spider writes:

    No one plays harder than AI. I think since he's been in Denver he has been a class act. He's a good teammate and a good citizen. That being said, there certainly is a chemistry conflict on this team. The combination of AI, Karl and Melo just doesn't blend together. At least one of them and perhaps two of them will have to go for this team to move forward.

  • September 26, 2008

    9:35 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Coffee_Mug writes:

    I will be the first to tell you that I am no expert. But are you? Sadly, the truth lies in the numbers and the exit door shown to the Nugs in the first round.........again. I can only comment on what I have seen,to the team leaders (Melo and Iverson)if there is no defense, then no playoffs.

  • September 26, 2008

    4:12 p.m.

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    GOPteacher writes:

    OK, I couldn't stand AI before we got him. I really respect him now, but I think we'd be better off with Andre Miller. Also,he has played like a total of 23 minutes at the 1 since he's been with the Nuggets. If he would agree to play the point, we'd be set, but as is, we've got to play two guys who can't guard other shooting guards.

  • September 27, 2008

    9:15 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    tabs2020 writes:

    GlassGuy:

    No I'm not an expert, which is why I try to refrain from talking about or criticizing players. The Nuggs play in the West, and I don't think their management had a good plan when they brought in AI. They swapped a PG for a SG and then never replaced their PG. They've lost in the first round, but to who? The Spurs, who went on to win it all that year, and the Lakers, who made it to the Finals last year. So, yeah, it could be better, the Nuggs threw away some costly games during the regular season, and everyone can do better. But, singling out AI is totally unfair and doesn't make much sense.