What they're saying on the Allen Iverson grapevine: The Answer has let it be known that he doesn't want to play in Charlotte.
What they're also saying in front-office circles: Iverson isn't thrilled about the prospect of relocating to Sacramento, either.
What I find myself saying whenever I hear such sentiments: How do players scare teams off so easily when almost no one in the NBA possesses a no-trade clause?
The Bobcats, let's face it, would be skittish about trading for A.I. even if he welcomed the move, given owner Bob Johnson's obvious comfort level with a roster that doesn't pay a single player more than $5.5 million. Although he badly wants to fill up his building and ranks as one of the league's most outspoken owners regarding the struggles of small-market teams, Johnson's hesitancy to sanction an Iverson deal doesn't surprise anyone. You can safely surmise that the little man's knack for selling tickets doesn't stand out to the Bobs as much the $39.8 million left on his contract after this season and Iverson's hard-to-handle history.
But here's the thing.
Iverson doesn't possess the ultimate hammer. NBA front-office sources confirmed Tuesday that his contract does not contain a no-trade clause.
In fact, as far as I know, the Lakers' Kobe Bryant is the only NBA player who has one.
Why?...