After weeks of frustration, the Philadelphia fanbase is finally getting the superstar it’s been asking for.
As Andrew Bynum comes through door, however, another star—Andre Iguodala—and first-round pick Moe Harkless will be leaving in the reported deal, in which the following teams get the following players:
- Denver Nuggets: Andre Iguodala
- Philadelphia 76ers: Andrew Bynum, Jason Richardson
- Los Angeles Lakers: Dwight Howard
- Orlando Magic: Arron Afflalo, Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless, Al Harrington, Draft Picks (TBA)
The Sixers end of the deal was recently reported by ESPN’s Marc Stein via Twitter.
Sources tell ESPN trade also calls for Sixers to get Jason Richardson with Bynum, with Iguodala to Denver & Dwight, obviously, to Lakerland
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) August 10, 2012
This deal seems to be a win-win for all four teams, with the Nuggets acquiring the perimeter defender they’ve coveted, the Sixers getting a dominant big man they can utilize against the East, the Lakers getting Dwight Howard, and the Magic re-stacking their roster with young, potential-laden players.
Photo via thecrabdribble.com.
Trading Iguodala, however necessary, is quite bittersweet for the Sixers. While the current Team USA member has taken a lot of criticism over the years, he’s always been one of the league’s to defenders and nearly led the team to the Conference Finals over Boston last postseason. The Sixers made sure to stock the SF position, which lost both Harkless and Iguodala, in the trade, receiving Magic sharpshooter Jason Richardson to split time with recent acquisition Dorell Wright.
Bynum, obviously, is the big cahuna for Philadelphia. With Vucevic leaving, another spot opened up at center which will likely be filled by Kwame Brown, who will be relegated from starter to backup with Bynum’s arrival. Not many teams in the Eastern Conference can defend someone like Bynum in the low post, and it seems the Sixers are willing to take a chance that he won’t re-sign next season. Doug Collins is being given a clear, one-year window by the management in which he must use the current composition of players to go as far in the playoffs as possible.
Even if Bynum doesn’t re-sign, there will be more cap space left for the Sixers to use on guys like Chris Paul, Monta Ellis, Howard, and others.
Follow us on Twitter @KhandymanSports to continue receiving updates on the trade as it develops.
The Magic must feel like the used up prostitute from a 4-person Bukkake.
Haha nice analogy. They definitely messed up by not accepting the Nets’ offer earlier in the offseason.