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Iverson dealt for Billups, McDyess

Email|Link|Comments (13) Posted by Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff November 3, 2008 03:05 PM

Allen Iverson is heading to Detroit. Chauncey Billups is heading home.

The Pistons, in a move that significantly alters the core of a team that had lost in three consecutive Eastern Conference finals, acquired Iverson from the Nuggets in exchange for Billups -- a Denver native -- along with veteran forward Antonio McDyess and center Cheikh Samb.

The deal was finalized this afternoon, and the Pistons will introduce Iverson at a news conference tomorrow in Auburn Hills, Mich., at 3:30 p.m.

The Globe first reported Sunday that the deal was in the works, and reported this morning that Iverson was telling friends he had been traded to Detroit.

"We are pleased to welcome Allen Iverson to the Pistons organization," Dumars said in a press release. "Allen has proven he is one of the elite players in the league and we like what he adds to our roster at the guard position."

Billups, 32, returns to familiar surroundings -- he was born in Denver, played in college at the University of Colorado, and remains a fan favorite there. He has played for the Nuggets previously, appearing in 45 games in 1998-99 and 13 games in 1999-00.

Billups was the MVP of the 2004 NBA Finals as the Pistons defeated the Lakers in five games.

McDyess, 34, also will be enjoying a homecoming of sorts, having been a Nugget from 1995-97 and 1998-02.

Iverson, the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 2000-01, is due $20 million this year, twice what Billups makes, thus requiring McDyess's inclusion in the deal to make the salaries match up.

The 33-year-old Iverson will be a free agent next summer, which would give Detroit significant salary cap space after this season should he not be re-signed. That would allow them to give the starting point guard job to promising Rodney Stuckey next season.

(Chad Finn of the Globe staff contributed to this report. Material from the Associated Press also was used.)

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13 comments so far...

Well, it looks like it's just the Celts or the Cavs coming out East this year.

Posted by destroythesilence November 3, 08 04:30 PM

Spears, you are always on the ball. Great Work!

Posted by Lucy November 3, 08 04:46 PM

This spells the end of the Pistons frequent domination of the East.. their core philosophy was their tenacious defense, and real teamwork. Iverson is adverse to either.

Posted by patspsycho November 3, 08 04:59 PM

A.I. & the piston's what Dumbass would do that

Posted by branden November 3, 08 06:30 PM

Billups was the heart of this team. (Getroit native). I dont see what AI can bring to the pistons. Dont know what Joe D was thinking.....

Sad day in Detroit sports

Posted by BretR November 3, 08 06:44 PM

"their tenacious defense, and real teamwork. Iverson is adverse to either." ouch, hopefully they will get iverson to start playing team ball at the end of his career =/

Posted by Sy November 3, 08 07:15 PM

WE TALKEN ABOUT PRACTICE. WHAT ARE WE TALKEN ABOUT,,PRACTICE.

Posted by remluz November 3, 08 07:57 PM

iverson doesn't play D?

okay......

Posted by DRUMMZ79 November 3, 08 07:57 PM

Despite Iverson headlining this trade, it serves Denver better. Getting Billups AND McDyess when they're still producing well is a marvelous acquisition. Hopefully this move will inject some D in the Nuggets, they sure need it! Billups will be energized to be back at home I'm sure.

Posted by DI$CO November 3, 08 08:03 PM

Sounds like Boston fans are not worried. They should be. A.I. will bring to Detroit just what Rasheed did in '04. He's hungary. He's never played for a TEAM like Detroit. Sound familier? Kevin Garnett hadn't either. Worst case scenario, the Pistons reach the conference finals, "NOT CLEVELAND", Please, and next season they have plenty of cap room to add 1 or 2 top notch free agents. Best case scenario, A.I. provides the spark thats been missing the last 3 years. Billups hasn't played up to 'Mr Big Shot' standards for awhile and they will get Antonio back in 30 days. .

Posted by Greywolf54 November 4, 08 12:22 AM

Iverson plays D, come on. Last year Rando ate up Billups in the playoffs. They had to get more speed in the line up. A.I is going to help Detroit win it all this year. On Sunday the Celtics are on the menu, we will see what the new look Pistons look like. A.I wants to win a ring, so don't worry about Team Ball, it will be there.
Go Pistons

Posted by The answer November 4, 08 03:30 AM

Great trade for detroit, even if CB will be missed. Dice will be bought out and return to Detroit or retire. Samb will hopefully return to detroit in a couple years.
essentially it's billups for iverson. pistons get a real chance for a title this season and monster cap-space in summer09 and maybe 2010. joe d aka genius

Posted by alex November 4, 08 03:56 AM

Although immediately i think denver wins with this deal. the nugs practically dont have a quality point guard as a starter. i see ai as more of an undersized but fast 2 guard. adding dice who can either start or come of the bench is good since decent bigs are hard 2 find. tho rumors have it that he will be bought out of his contract. maybe join the celts after as a replacement for pj browns role? ai wont bring a championship 2 detroit. first coz of the celts. 2nd coz of the fact they failed to pull this deal off before camp. i think training camp is a huge factor in building chemistry. 3rd coz i think the games of ai and rip are so alike as they are both scorers.
however long term i think the pistons win here coz of all the potential cap room available, ai in his last year and so is sheed. what will ultimaetly make this deal a winner for the pistons is what dumars does with the free cap room.

Posted by eric November 4, 08 04:16 AM