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Report: Sixers to Acquire Andrew Bynum and Jason Richardson in Four-Team Blockbuster
By Kyle Scott
Published:
Wow! It’s done, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.
As part of a four-team blockbuster that will land Dwight Howard in Los Angeles, the Sixers will send Andre Iguodala to Denver and Moe Harkless and Nikola Vucevic to Orlando. In return, they will receive Andrew Bynum from the Lakers and Jason Richardon from the Magic: [ESPN.com]
A source with direct knowledge of the talks told ESPN.com's Marc Stein the Lakers will receive Howard, the Denver Nuggets will acquire Andre Iguodala, the 76ers will receive Andrew Bynum and Jason Richardson, and the Magic will get Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Nikola Vucevic and one protected future first-round pick from each of the other three teams.
In addition, the Magic will be getting other pieces, including 76ers No. 1 draft pick Moe Harkless, a source told Stein.
Sources tell Stein that a trade call has been scheduled with the league for tomorrow morning to make it all official.
The Sixers have apparently not spoken to Bynum, who has one year left on his deal, about signing an extension, but that would certainly be the goal here and the Sixers will take that shot, according to the ESPN.com report.
Bynum, who grew up about an hour away from Philadelphia in Plainsboro, N.J., could sign a three-year, $60 million extension this season or wait to become a free agent after the season and be eligible for a five-year, $102 million deal.
Incredibly, Stein says that Howard will not sign an extension with the Lakers right now and will wait until the end of the season to explore free agency.
We wrote at length about acquiring Bynum before, but Richardson, 31, a veteran guard, is an added bonus. He has three years remaining on a four-year, $24 million deal (so, around $6 million a year).
Losing Harkless, Vucevic and a number one pick (all number one picks, really) on top of Iguodala is tough, but the Sixers had to do this deal. Players like Andrew Bynum don't just fall into your lap. He's 24 and, if he re-signs, will be an All-Star caliber NBA player for a long time here. If he remains healthy. I'm still not sure he's the guy to lead a team to a championship, but this is a huge step in the right direction.
This should be surreal for Iggy when he wakes up in London tomorrow morning.
It's worth mentioning that reader (@Root_em_in) tweeted us the details of this trade eight hours ago. You should maybe follow him.
Kyle Scott is the founder and editor of CrossingBroad.com. He has written for CBS Philly and Philly Voice, and been a panelist or contributor on NBC Sports Philly, FOX 29 and SNY TV, as well as a recurring guest on 97.5 The Fanatic, 94 WIP, 106.7 The Fan and other stations. He has more than 10 years experience running digital media properties and in online advertising and marketing.