About mid July last year, we all heard the rumors about Andrew Bynum heading to the Cavs as part of a Dwight Howard mega deal. We were all excited. Chris Grant was going to deliver Christmas in July. The deal looked like it was all but done, but we would eventually learn that the actual deal never involved the Cavs. Instead the Philadelphia 76ers stepped up and decided to offer their franchise player, Andre Iguodala. In return they would receive the golden prize that was Andrew Bynum. Here is how it went down:
Sixers got: Jason Richardson and Bynum
Magic got: Moe Harkless, Nikola Vucevic, Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Christian Eyenga, Josh McRoberts and protected first round picks from each team, and a second round pick from the Nuggets
Lakers got: Dwight Howard, Earl Clark and Chris Duhon.
Nuggest got: Andre Iguodala.
Even Andrew Bynum can’t believe how much he looks like Don King
Fast forward to now. Almost immediately after the trade, Bynum started to receive treatment on both of his knees for arthritis. At 25 years old. Yikes. But the Sixers were not concerned yet as they told everyone that he would be ready to go three weeks into the season. Little did they know that he would somehow manage to injure his knee while bowling. He is a professional athlete that got paid $16 million last season and manage to hurt himself in a sport that mostly requires walking. Eventually Bynum and the Sixers would waive the white flag and send him in for arthroscopic knee surgery which ended his season. He may never play basketball again. But hey, at least he could win a Don King look-a-like contest!
Last year, the Sixers were battling the Miami Heat in the playoffs and showing the league that they were on their way. This year, they have finished 34-48 and missed the playoffs. That trade likely set their team back at least three or four years until they are a serious contender.
The Nuggets simply decided to participate and gave up some spare parts. They were rewarded Andre Iguodala who played a huge role in the Nuggets return to the playoffs and one of the most exciting teams n the league. Five years from now we may look back on this trade and refer to it as the Andre Iguodala trade.
Wooooo! Thank God we dodged that bullet! Great job Chris Grant. Way to stick to your guns.
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