Ever since the Sixers stopped making the playoffs the Allen Iverson trade rumors have always been rampantly circulating, especially just before the trade deadline period and the offseason. I’ve heard a lot in the past such as an Iverson for Vince Carter deal when Vince was still a Raptor. Now there’s a new one that involves the Boston Celtics.

Iverson is an excellent and talented player but unfortunately he’s also the type of star that wants the ball in his hands a lot and he’s also a problem for a lot of coaches. The thing is Philadelphia seems to be the perfect place for him and I think any team that wants to acquire him should understand this. He has expressed his wish to remain a Sixer for his entire career. He has a wonderful relationship with his coach Maurice Cheeks who he respects. It’s a rare opportunity for the Sixers to have a coach Iverson absolutely loves to play for. He also has a great bond with the other A.I. Andre Iguodala. Given these circumstances, you can be absolutely sure we’ll see anger, disappointment, and outrage if ever he gets traded to another team.

My advice to the Sixers, just keep him. He’s been the face of your franchise for about the last 10 years and he’s brought the team to high places that it’s never been to since the time of Julius Erving and Charles Barkley. Is trading him against his will anyway to pay the guy his much deserved respect? Absolutely not! Charles Barkley almost never forgave the Phoenix Suns for trading him to the Houston Rockets. Is that what the Sixers want to happen? Iverson is getting older but like Jason Kidd, he’s not really getting any slower. He’s still got a lot of gas in him and with the young talent coming in, the team will only get better. Just keep the guy, darnit!