Allen Iverson to the Miami Heat?
That’s the hypothetical scenario that Heat vice president of basketball development Udonis Haslem shared with NBA fans on the latest episode of The OGs Show, which he hosts with former NBA sharpshooter Mike Miller. Haslem, speaking then to Heat assistant coach Caron Butler —another NBA alum —revealed that he was “shook up” when he heard about the possibility. Not because he’d get the chance to play with the future Hall of Famer, but because he was almost included in the trade package for him.
Heat’s Udonis Haslem Shakes Fans With Allen Iverson Hypothetical
“I remember my name was in the hat one time,” Haslem begins. “We was talking about making a move for Iverson and my name got thrown in the hat a little bit. I was all shook up and s***. But D-Wade was like, ‘Man, that’s Allen Iverson.’
Udonis Haslem reveals that the Miami Heat almost traded him for Allen Iverson to pair D-Wade up with A.I
D-Wade kept it real with Haslem and straight up told him “Man, it’s Allen Iverson” 😅
(🎥 @theOGsShow / https://t.co/yR8P6w68Ns) pic.twitter.com/0zJE6L7FPL
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 4, 2024
I think whatever reason, that didn’t work. I don’t know if the dynamics with him and Dwyane would have worked at that time. So I think dynamically, it didn’t work, but my a** was almost out of here. And how can I argue if you bring in Allen Iverson?”
It’s unclear when the Heat devised their plan to pair Iverson with Dwyane Wade.
However, the Georgetown product was traded from the Philadelphia 76ers in Dec. 2006. Two years later, the Denver Nuggets traded him to the Detroit Pistons, but he was firmly out of his prime. That being said, it was probably the 2006-07 season, but could’ve been either one. Notably, the Heat went 15-67 in 2007-08. Iverson, then with the Nuggets, averaged 26.4 points, 7.1 assists, and 2.0 steals per game.
What Would the Trade Look Like?
It’s not surprising that Haslem would’ve been discussed as a trade piece.
At the beginning of his career, the Florida native defended well and could stretch the floor. In 2006-07, he averaged 10.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game, producing at a respectable rate. Furthermore, when both the Nuggets and Pistons acquired Iverson, they gave up a big man. Denver traded away former No. 1 pick Joe Smith. Detroit included former No. 2 pick Antonio McDyess in their trade package.
Both teams also gave up savvy, heady point guards. In the Nuggets’ case, it was Andre Miller. The Pistons traded away Chauncey Billups, a player so smart that he’s now an NBA head coach. If the Heat were seriously involved in trade discussions, this likely would have led them to move Jason Williams. Williams, fondly remembered as ‘White Chocolate,’ was a sweet ball-handler with a flashy playmaking style.
Why Not Make the Move?
Why Miami wouldn’t didn’t move Haslem and (likely) Williams for Iverson is anyone’s guess. He’s the superior talent even combining their abilities. Though there is a question about how well they would’ve balanced the scoring load, they probably would’ve figured it out. Iverson learned how to get his while playing beside scoring-minded forward Carmelo Anthony. Wade thrived beside a more dominant scorer in LeBron James.
As James signed with the Heat after Iverson left the NBA, it wouldn’t have negatively impacted franchise history either. It would’ve only helped Wade win another ring without him. Now, it’s just one of the big ‘what-if’ scenarios in NBA lore.
