Why Aren't the Cavs Showing Even the Mildest Interest in Allen Iverson?

An All-Star team? Nope...they could quite easily be your 2009-10 Cleveland Cavaliers.Oh, how soon we forget.Once upon a time, this was a Cleveland Cavaliers team that was dearth of talent. It was The LeBron Show -- and not much else. Some will even argue that, despite recent roster makeovers, it still is that way. But acquiring Mo Williams last summer, who blossomed into an All-Star, and Shaquille O'Neal -- a future Hall of Famer -- this summer has definitely been a major upgrade over a squad that once featured Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden in its starting lineup.But not too long ago, Cavs fans would jump at any and all trade possibilities involving any player. Like Kevin Garnett. Like Mike Bibby. Like Michael Redd. Like Amar'e Stoudemire. And, back in November and December of 2006, Allen Iverson.How soon we forget. Because now, the same Iverson that would have cost so much to acquire via trade could be had more easily than at any point of his decorated career. Reports on Wednesday -- as well as Iverson's own Twitter account -- indicated that A.I. was close to reaching a deal with somebody, believed to be either Miami, New York, or Charlotte. The Clippers and Memphis were also mentioned in the running.But nope -- no sight of the Cavs. Yes, Iverson's a one-dimensional scorer and nothing else, but he would easily be the best guard that LeBron James has had to play with in his entire career. While Mo Williams' 17.8 points per game last year were a career high and considered a major breakthrough for the 6'1" point guard, A.I.'s 17.4 points with the Pistons were considered a low-water mark and complete disappointment.A back injury (and maybe even a reluctance to come off the bench) terminated Iverson's 2008-09 campaign far earlier than expected, but a summer of rejection and seeing his ego torn to shreds may allow A.I. to see just where he stands in today's NBA. The 34-year old, who will be entering his 14th season out of Georgetown, can be had for close to the league minimum for a player with Iverson's experience.Remember that just 14 months ago, Iverson had just played in all 82 games and averaged 26.4 points per game for a 50-win Denver team. How is this same guy not "good enough" for a Cavaliers team desperate -- desperate -- for a championship? The caveat here would be to have Iverson agree to come off the bench and have limited minutes. He could start in place for Mo Williams or Delonte West on some nights, especially on back-to-backs or a fourth game in five nights. The matchup problems he would cause with the second unit would be devastating. Of course, that would also depend on how high up winning a championship is on Iverson's priority list. Notice that the teams that he has been linked to -- Miami, New York, Charlotte, the Clippers, and Memphis -- are all losers with absolutely no hope at all in the future. A.I. may be more concerned with getting minutes and padding his stats on worthless teams than he is playing a key role on a championship one. That refutes everything linking Iverson and the Cavs. Put playing alongside LeBron and Shaq in a city starved for an overdue championship would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity -- an opportunity that could add to A.I.'s legacy. Especially if he were the one to push them over the top for that elusive championship.Maybe Danny Ferry knows all this. Maybe it is not a coincidence that bottom-feeder teams going nowhere are the only ones interested in Iverson, perhaps for a chance to be a hit at the box office. But if Iverson wants to erase a past that saw him personify everything that had become wrong with the NBA -- me-first attitudes, ball-hogging, putting stats and playing time over team success, and selfishness -- then joining the Cavs to come off the bench in a limited role would be the best thing for him at this point of his career.If not, then joining an irrelevant team that promises to make little to no noise this season is his call. Provided he's done wiping the egg off his face from what has definitely been a humiliating offseason.