Former Philadelphia 76ers forward Andre Iguodala became an integral piece in the climax of the Dwight Howard fiasco this past weekend when he was traded from Philadelphia to the Denver Nuggets as part of the four-team deal which landed Howard with the Los Angeles Lakers. In a recent interview, 76ers president Rod Thorn stated that originally, the 76ers were interested in acquiring Dwight Howard themselves, saying:
Initially we were talking to Orlando about Dwight Howard. That's how it got started.
However, those negotiations hit a snag on one issue -- the Magic did not want Olympian Andre Iguodala. Speaking with Mike Missanelli on 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia, Thorn said the following:
It's interesting in that we've been talking to the Lakers and to Orlando for the last three weeks. We've been talking about different deals, various deals...And then it really came down to, Orlando - they did not want to keep Iguodala because they're going in a different way.
The Orlando Magic's logic behind rejecting Iguodala is more than likely based in their financial plans for the future. Iguodala is owed close to $15 million for this upcoming season, and he holds a player option worth close to $16 million for the following season.
Instead, the Magic acquired Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, a number of other role players and draft picks.
For more on the teams involved with the Howard deal, visit Magic blog Orlando Pinstriped Post, Lakers blog Silver Screen and Roll, Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs and Sixers blog Liberty Ballers.