Rumors about Sixers trade to Warriors, Iguodala for Ellis

It certainly was a potentially eventful day for the 76ers.

The team may be sold in the near future and rumors are swirling that stabilizing forward Andre Iguodala may be moved to the Golden State Warriors for scoring guard Monta Ellis.

Sixers president Rod Thorn said he has talked to "over 20 teams" in recent weeks about "a variety of things."

"We have talked to over 20 teams in the past couple of weeks, maybe even more. We have nothing to say right now about anything. There is nothing imminent."

Both Iguodala and Ellis have 3 years remaining on their contracts, with Iguodala scheduled to make a little less than $43 million while Ellis will get about $33 million.

Iguodala was on ESPN Radio's Scott Van Pelt Show yesterday afternoon, talking about the NBA Finals and his attendance at a seminar at Syracuse University for players to learn broadcasting skills.

Of course, he was asked his thoughts on the latest trade rumor:

"I really haven't been paying too much attention to it," he said. "I don't have control over it. My biggest thing this summer is I am trying to relax, and keep my mind off basketball . . . My thing is, things happen, let it happen and then react to it. I think it's too early for me to start worrying about it."

The 6-3 Ellis could be the scorer the Sixers are searching for, as he averaged 24.1 points last season and 25.5 the season before. The Warriors announced yesterday that they hired former NBA point guard and television analyst Mark Jackson to be their new head coach. A few weeks ago they added NBA legend Jerry West as an executive board member.

West, speaking about the Iguodala-Ellis rumor to San Jose Mercury News columnist Tim Kawakami, said: "Monta Ellis is going to be mentioned everywhere because everyone loves him as a player. But it's not to the point where they're [Golden State] shopping anybody. They'll concentrate on the draft, get to that part of it and then try to look to the future."

Should the Sixers make the move, it would probably lead to more transactions. Ellis would likely start in the backcourt with Jrue Holiday. That would make Jodie Meeks, last year's starter at shooting guard, expendable because the Sixers already have Lou Williams coming off the bench. The No. 3 spot, which Iguodala plays, would then be open for competition, most likely between second-year man Evan Turner and veteran Thaddeus Young.

The Sixers have said that they are looking to upgrade their big man position, whether through trade or draft. They have the 16th and 50th picks on June 23.

Thus far they have worked out 11 potential draft picks, but none seem to warrant the 16th spot. Today they will work out nine more players at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, many of whom have high pedigree.

Today's workouts will include: Keith Benson (Oakland); Justin Harper (Richmond); Nikola Vucevic (Southern Cal); Jordan Williams (Maryland); Jordan Hamilton (Texas); Scotty Hopson (Tennessee); Malcolm Lee (UCLA); Josh Selby (Kansas); and Chris Singleton (Florida State).