Here is an article from Hoopsworld. It brings up a point I hadn't thought about... Cheeks had Telfair in Portland and loved him. Maybe Cheeks said... get me Telfair to run the point if you get rid of Iverson... it is a thought and so possibly the Telfair trade not only dumped Raef's salary but is a stepping stone to that next trade. If not, he would fit in Boston and we don't need Iverson.
www.hoopsworld.com/member/article_10452.shtmlTelfair On His Way To Philly For Iverson?
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By Wendell Maxey Jr.
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Jun 28, 2006, 18:58
Here’s the beauty of the NBA Draft: Anything can happen.
The selection process isn’t even under way and already deals are going down. Just in case you are tuning in a bit late, here’s what you missed. Sebastian Telfair is now a Boston Celtic, as the Portland Trail Blazers swapped Telfair for the #7 pick before the kickoff of tonight’s NBA Draft.
The good news is you will be around for the continuation of this deal.
Sebastian’s stay in Boston may be shorter than Rasheed Wallace in an Atlanta Hawks jersey.
The Celtic’s Danny Ainge is not done wheeling and dealing. The acquisition of Telfair came as a surprise. But the real jaw dropper will be when Ainge turns around and trades Telfair to the Philadelphia 76’ers for Alan Iverson during this busy NBA season.
But don’t blink.
Sebastian Telfair to Philadelphia for Allen Iverson could be another draft night reality.
As one media outlet noted: “This trade (Telfair to Boston) won't deter the Celtics from still pursuing Philadelphia's Allen Iverson in a summer deal that is still very much alive with a third team still to be determined.”
Even the Boston Herald is reporting that trade talks between Iverson and the Celtics have revived of late.
The Herald said a trade for Iverson would probably have to involve several teams.
Apparently Portland is one of those teams. And they have already made their move. The rest is up to the front offices in Boston and Philly to arrange other teams of interest to begin making moves.
The Celtics would also need to free up a lot space for Iverson’s contract. Iverson will receive $17 million next season and $20.8 million in 2008-'09. With such a hefty contract it’s no wonder multiple teams will have to be involved.
If that is the case, Telfair could be the piece of the puzzle the Sixers General Manager Billy King and head coach Maurice Cheeks were waiting for to make the trade for Iverson that much more appealing.
Sending Iverson to Boston is a win-win situation. Boston gets a running mate for Paul Pierce and in return,
the Sixers can finally start their rebuilding project with the young Telfair running a point position he is familiar with from Cheek’s days in Portland. Telfair was the first move on draft night. It’s the first of many to come. Funny thing is, Telfair to Philly for Iverson could be the second.
Anything can happen tonight. It already has.