DENVER, Aug. 10, 2012 – The Denver Nuggets have acquired All-Star G/F Andre Iguodala from the Philadelphia 76ers as part of a four-team trade, Nuggets Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri announced today.
In exchange for Iguodala, the Nuggets sent G Arron Afflalo and F Al Harrington to the Orlando Magic, who traded C Dwight Howard, F Earl Clark and G Chris Duhon to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Magic also acquired F Josh McRoberts and G Christian Eyenga from Los Angeles and G Maurice Harkless and C Nikola Vucevic from the Sixers. Philadelphia received C Andrew Bynum from the Lakers and G Jason Richardson from Orlando.
In addition, Orlando received a combination of three first-round and two second-round picks from Denver, Los Angeles and Philadelphia.
Iguodala, 6-6, 207, has averaged 15.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists in eight seasons, all with Philadelphia. He was named to the 2011-12 Eastern Conference All-Star team while helping the 76ers to the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons.
“It’s not often you get the opportunity to improve your team by adding an All-Star player like Andre Iguodala,” Ujiri said. “He’s an Olympian, a great defender and a great all-around player. We think he fits in really well with the type of system coach George Karl runs and the team we have here in Denver.”
Iguodala, 28, was instrumental in helping the No. 8 Sixers beat the top-seeded Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2012 NBA playoffs, and Philadelphia finished one win short of a trip to the Eastern Conference finals.
He averaged 12.9 points and 5.7 rebounds during the playoffs, highlighted by a 20-point performance to eliminate Chicago on May 10.
"I’m excited to be heading to Denver,” Iguodala said. “I have a great relationship with (team president) Josh Kroenke, and I really respect what he and Masai have built with the Nuggets. They’re a great young team with an excellent coaching staff, led by Coach Karl. I also feel like I will really complement their system and roster, both offensively and defensively.
“At the same time, I also would like to thank the Philadelphia 76ers and their fans for eight amazing years. Philly will always have a special place in my heart, and I will cherish the great memories with the city and my teammates there.”
In addition to his success in Philadelphia, Iguodala helped the United States win the gold medal at the 2010 World Championships, and he is a current member of the U.S. team competing at the 2012 Olympics in London.
A model of durability, Iguodala has played in 615 of a possible 640 games since being drafted by Philadelphia with the ninth overall pick of the 2004 NBA Draft. He started all 82 games as a rookie and was named to the 2004-05 All-Rookie First Team.
Iguodala also has ranked in the top 10 in steals per game six times, and he earned a spot on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2010-11.
Afflalo, 26, averaged 15.2 points and 3.2 rebounds for the Nuggets last season. He was originally acquired from Detroit on July 13, 2009, for a future second-round pick.
Harrington, 32, averaged 14.2 points and 6.1 rebounds off the bench in 2011-12.
“It’s always tough to lose good guys, and we appreciate the professionalism of Arron and Al,” Ujiri said. “They were a big part of our success and we thank them for what they did for the Denver Nuggets.”