Pistons Nuggets Trade; Who Wins, Who Loses And Why?

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA Analysis, NBA Trades

The first major trade during the 2008-2009 NBA campaign took place on Monday as according to various news outlets, the Denver Nuggets, and the Detroit Pistons have consummated what has to be referred to as a blockbuster deal. According to reports, the Pistons will send point guard Chauncey Billups, forward Antonio McDyess, and center Cheikh Samb to Denver. In return Detroit will receive guard Allen Iverson.

It is not surprising that Detroit and Denver were willing to shake up their rosters. Rumors and reports of imminent deals that that the Nuggets were entertaining surfaced all Summer. Detroit President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars, held a press conference after the Pistons were eliminated in the playoffs. Dumars said that were no sacred cows on his roster, any player was available for the right offer. Despite all the talk of transactions, no deals came to fruition. Both rosters with minor changes started the regular season last week.

The only thing that perplexes me is why these two teams put this trade together? Does either team get the better end of this deal? Did either team improve because of this trade? What’s the short term and long term results of this deal?

At first glance I can make more of a case that the Nuggets got the better end of this deal. Denver was without a true point guard to run the offense and distribute the ball. (Anthony Johnson the current starter is an adequate back-up. He is not however a starting point for an upper echelon team.) Billups is one of the best pure point guards in the Association.

There are reports that McDyess will ask to be released by the Nuggets so he can “retire” which will mean a buy out at a reduced rate. (His “retirement home” could very well be the Pistons, as he could sign with them after becoming an unrestricted free agent upon his release. Neither McDyess or the Pistons will even allow these words into the ozone, after seeing how Jerry Stackhouse nearly scuttled the J-Kidd trade last February. Stack was in the original proposed trade between the Nets and the Mavericks. The deal was supposed to be New Jersey would release Stackhouse, and after sitting out 30 days he would re-sign with Dallas. Only the veteran told reporters, which brought up talk of tampering, and the deal was hastily re-worked.)

But just how much better does Denver become? Good enough to challenge the Lakers, Hornets, or Rockets? I don’t believe so. Billups is 32, he is owed $50 million over the next four seasons, including the present one. What does Billups have left in the tank? How does Chauncey make the Denver Nuggets a team that can reach that upper echelon, of the three teams mentioned above?

The handwriting has been on the wall for a while, that A.I. would probably not last the campaign with Denver. One of the most telling signs was having his team captaincy taken from him last week. A.I. is a very proud man, but he is also a very insecure man, much like his former coach in Philadelphia Larry Brown. And like Brown, when Iverson feels slighted, unwanted, unloved, he wants to leave, immediately. Iverson went through various episodes in Philadelphia where it seemed he was destined to leave the Sixers, only for there to be a last minute reprieve. But the 76ers finally pulled the trigger, and sent him to Denver.

The Nuggets brain-trust had visions of Melo and A.I. leading them to a trip to the Finals. Things never did quite work out though. Eventually they found out A.I. was not the “Answer” in Denver. Now does Dumars think he may be for the Pistons?

Where does Iverson play in the Detroit lineup? He has never been a true point and last season he made a pronouncement that he was a shooting guard. Does he take Billups spot in the starting lineup? If so you have him and Richard Hamilton as your back court, neither one with a pass first shoot second mindset. Detroit’s point guard of the future is Rodney Stuckey, he had a great rookie campaign even though he missed most of the first half of the season due to injury. That is why they deemed Billups expendable. If Stuckey and Iverson becomes your starting tandem at guard, Hamilton could very easily shift over to small forward. But then where does that leave Tayshaun Prince? He certainly can not play power forward, does he become your sixth man?

Are the Pistons ready to increase the size of their locker room? They will have to in order to fit both Iverson’s and Rasheed Wallace’s ego. A team can win with one male diva, as the Pistons proved with Wallace, but can they win with two? Under a rookie head coach?

The other possibility is that Detroit acquired A.I. for a one year rental. His contract which will pay him $21.9 million this season will expire once Detroit is eliminated. Is this just a move to give them salary cap space in 2009? Or could it be that Dumars looks at this as an experiment; if it pays off we sign him long term, if not we get the cap space?

It will be interesting to see how the dynamic plays out with both teams. My initial response is this does not make the Pistons better than they were 24 hours ago. We will see the results very soon.

Updates, Fresh From the Oven, Straight to Your Inbox

Promote:

Comments

6 Responses to “Pistons Nuggets Trade; Who Wins, Who Loses And Why?”

Greg Dix on November 3rd, 2008 8:54 pm

The other possibility is that Detroit acquired A.I. for a one year rental. His contract which will pay him $21.9 million this season will expire once Detroit is eliminated. Is this just a move to give them salary cap space in 2009? Or could it be that Dumars looks at this as an experiment; if it pays off we sign him long term, if not we get the cap space.

It will be interesting to see how the dynamic plays out with both teams. My initial response is this does not make the Pistons better than they were 24 hours ago. We will see the results very soon

—- i agre w. everything you wrote…. i agree w. mainstream media on this one…..It’s a cap move for the King. They are going after the one two punch of King and Bosch…..this move prevents them from becoming a crap team in the near future….it keeps them at a high lvl for the next 5…..even if they don’t get the King they will get someone from the amazing free agent camp of 2010….. Dumars is one slick GM.

Denver did it just so they have an outside shot at advancing from the first round of the playoffs and to pacify the fan base. It is a win win for them this year as they lower expenses as they say for a “bad economy” yet remain competitive…. The problem lies in 2 yrs when Chancy Billup’s age catches up to him. At least this will give more opportunity to JR Smith. With AI gone more shots open up for him and Melo. Plus Billups will squeeze what he can out off that lineup.

A+ Dumars- I wish u were the GM in Philly.
Stephen Rhodes on November 4th, 2008 1:35 am

Why does Detroit want Iverson, the rent-a-player? Simple, so they can release him in July or so then free up a ton of salary cap space to pursue Lebron James.

Right now, the McNuggets have the edge in this trade but about this time next year that may not be the case. It will be interesting though to see who takes on AI next season.
Malice At The Palace; Celtics Derail Pistons 88-76 » Slam Dunk Central on November 10th, 2008 2:40 am

[...] Pistons Nuggets Trade; Who Wins, Who Loses And Why? [...]
Reports State McDyess Will Re-Sign With Pistons December 7 » Slam Dunk Central on November 24th, 2008 11:19 pm

[...] Pistons Nuggets Trade; Who Wins, Who Loses And Why? [...]
Anthony on December 1st, 2008 10:20 pm

No Iverson is washed up.Denver has masterminded this trade.Good going Denver.
sydney alexander on December 25th, 2008 11:13 pm

I have loved Detroit for years. After the trade its over, I am hoping Denver makes it to the finals! They might not win, but AI s****. I don’t usually change teams when someone I like leaves, but Detroit has always been a true team, not a big name with others taking up space, they are all equally talented. Then I saw AI wearing Billups number. Oh my head exploded with anger! I hope they lose BAD this year and Karma catches up with Dumars. Fat a** b**** he is!