Latest Iguodala trade rumor: Chris Kaman??

Please tell me this rumor is completely made up. According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the Sixers and Clippers are discussing a possible Andre Iguodala for Chris Kaman swap. Stein reports that no deal is imminent but the two teams have discussed a possible deal, which could be a one for one swap since their salaries match.

This would be a great deal for the Clippers, who are an up and coming team and could really use a small forward like Iguodala to round out their starting five. As for the Sixers, the deal makes little sense. I know that they are targeting big men but they have to be able to do better than Kaman, who can be best described as oft-injured. While Kaman was an All-Star in 2010, injuries slowed him down last season and he was only able to play in 32 games. The deal would allow the Sixers to shed Iguodala's salary and replace it with Kaman's deal that expires after next season but it really doesn't give them much value on the floor. Is Kaman really that much of an upgrade over Spencer Hawes?

I'm all for the Sixers trading Andre Iguodala as long as they get something of value in return. Shedding Iggy's salary and giving more minutes to Evan Turner and Thad Young are both good things in the long run for the Sixers. Maybe I'm overrating Iguodala but I think the Sixers can do a lot better than an average NBA center. I'd rather they made the Monta Ellis deal than this one, though I'm not a fan of that deal, either.

Rumor: Sixers and Warriors discussing Iguodala for Ellis swap

In a move that may delight many fans, it looks like the Sixers are looking to deal their supposed franchise player, Andre Iguodala. According to Ric Bucher of ESPN, the Sixers and Warriors have had discussions about a deal that would send Iguodala to the Warriors in exchange for big-scoring guard Monta Ellis.

While he makes it clear that nothing is imminent, Bucher argues that the trade makes a lot of sense for both teams, though I don't see why the Sixers would make this deal. I'm all for the Sixers trying to get some value for Iguodala but Ellis only does one thing on the basketball court and that's shoot the ball. While he's very good at filling it up, Ellis doesn't bring anything else to the Sixers should they add him to the mix. Perhaps the Sixers are trying to re-live the Allen Iverson years by acquiring the player most like him in the NBA?

Say what you will about Iguodala's leadership but he brings a lot more to the table than Ellis. Even if Iguodala never becomes the big-time scoring threat we all hoped he would be, he is still a lock-down defender who can guard the best player on the floor night in and night out. Trade Iguodala if you must, Sixers, but please get more than just a volume shooter in return.

Sixers discussing Iguodala for Carmelo trade?

In a story that is likely too good to be true, Philly.com is reporting that the Sixers and Nuggets are in discussions regarding a trade that would send Andre Iguodala to Denver in exchange for Carmelo Anthony. The trade would of course include other parts, likely another quality piece or two being shipped out of Philly and something from Denver to get the salaries to match. Before the deal would be agreed upon by the Sixers, they would also have to negotiate a long-term deal with Anthony, something that would be tricky considering he has never shown any interest in coming to Philadelphia.

Call this deal a longshot at best. From the Sixers perspective, the deal is a slam dunk as long as they get to hold on to Evan Turner. Anthony is an elite player and would immediately take them from a fringe playoff team in the East to a contender for a top 4 seed. Considering Anthony has a say in where he goes and he wants to go to New York, New Jersey or Chicago, even if the Sixers put together a good package of players, that doesn't mean a deal will go through.

I suppose we can all still dream, however. How does a starting five of Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner, Carmelo Anthony, Thaddeus Young and Elton Brand sound to you?