Allen Iverson almost got traded to Heat, but Dwyane Wade prevented it for this 1 reason

Allen Iverson Dwyane Wade — Hall of Famer Allen Iverson was almost traded to the Miami Heat until Dwyane Wade prevented it for this one reason. (Mandatory Credit: Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)

Miami Heat great Dwyane Wade may have idolized Allen Iverson, but that doesn’t mean he was willing to pull all of the strings to make him his teammate.

While covering the Emirates Cup on Prime Video, Udonis Haslem pressed his close personal friend about a potential deal in 2006 to acquire Iverson. And Wade’s reasoning for nixing it was priceless.

“[Pat Riley] came in and talked to me about the possibility of trading for [Allen Iverson],” Wade said. “That’s one of my favorite players, and I love him, and I was like, ‘Bet. Let’s do it!’ He was like, ‘You in?’ I was like, ‘I’m in.’ He’s like, ‘We’re going to have to trade [Udonis Haslem].’ I was like, ‘I’m out.’ That’s it.

“I love A.I., but A.I. wasn’t gonna stick up for me. He wasn’t gonna fight for me. He wasn’t gonna take no fines for me. … Keep my guy here. … A.I. I love you, but not over my brother.”

“[Pat Riley] came in and talked to me about the possibility of trading for [Allen Iverson] … I was like, ‘Bet. Let’s do it!’ I was like, ‘I’m in.’ He’s like, 'We're going to have to trade [Udonis Haslem].’ I was like ‘I'm out.’ That's it.”

— Dwyane Wadepic.twitter.com/VBZWxrVWtm
— Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) December 15, 2025

With benefit of hindsight, Dwyane Wade made right decision:

Hindsight is 20-20. And Iverson was, unquestionably, one of the greatest guards of his time.

Iverson, a four-time scoring champion and seven-time All-NBA honoree, was past his prime in 2006, respectfully. He played four more seasons with five different organizations, averaging 22.6 points and 6.3 assists on 44.2 percent shooting and 32.6 percent from 3-point range.

Haslem played, well, 17 more … all with the Heat! He may not have ever had the numbers that Iverson did. But he was an integral part of the culture Riley ushered that Erik Spoelstra continued. It led to two more titles after 2006 and countless memories.

Haslem is one of the most influential figures in South Florida sports history not only for the leadership, tenacity and grit he showed on the court — but his work in the community off the court. That part can’t be ignored, either.

Wade made the right decision, even though it would’ve been quite cool to see the Hall of Famer don the Heat’s red-and-black.