Nuggets trade Iverson to Detroit

The Denver Nuggets had “The Answer”, but it was apparently to the wrong question.  For that reason, they sent Alan Iverson to the Detroit Pistons in a trade announced on Monday.  In return, the Nuggets received talented pointguard Chauncy Billups and veteran Antonio McDyess.  Iverson is expected to make his Pistons debut Wednesday night against the Raptors in Toronto.

For Denver, they’re hoping that high scoring forward Carmello Anthony will be even more of a threat with Billups running the offense.  Billups is more of a “pure point guard” while Iverson was well known for his “shoot first, ask questions later” mentality.  Billups will immediately become part of the Nuggets starting lineup.  The team will most likely release or buy out McDyess’ contract and there’s a decent chance he could return to the Pistons after the NBA mandated 30 day wait.  In any case, Denver has no plans for the 12 year veteran to become part of their team.

Detroit, meanwhile, was able to move Billups due to their confidence in 2nd year pointguard Rodney Stuckey.  Stuckey was immediately moved into the starting lineup following the deal.  With Iverson, the Pistons acquire a proven scorer who can jump start their often stagnant offense according to team president Joe Dumars:

"It gives us a different way to attack people. We have been extremely successful for a long time. But I also think what comes with that is a little bit of predictability."

Iverson’s contract expires at the end of the season, so worst case scenario the Pistons can dump him then if he isn’t “the answer” to their offensive woes.  He’ll make $20.1 million this year and with his contract and Rasheed Wallace’s coming up at the end of this the team will have a good deal of financial flexibility at the end of the season.

Also on Monday, the Pistons signed Richard Hamilton to a three year contract extension worth $34 million.  He’ll remain the centerpiece of a team that, according to Dumars, needed some shaking up:

"We just felt it was the right time to change our team Iverson gives us a dimension that we haven't had here and we really think it's going to help us. In this league, six or seven years is an eternity to have a core together. So when a situation like this presents itself where you can cover yourself on both sides -- the immediate impact player and the long-term flexibility -- you have to push the button."