Wow. That was my initial reaction as I watched the news on SportsCenter. I’ve read a lot (and I mean a lot) on this deal in the past 6 hours or so. Some people think Detroit got the better deal, others think Denver is the winner. Still others think it’s a tie. Let’s find out, shall we?
The Deal
The Denver Nuggets are trading Allen Iverson for the Detroit Pistons’ Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess, and Cheikh Samb. It has been reported that the Nuggets intend to buy out McDyess’ remaining contract (about 2 years and $13 million), so he won’t actually play for the team. And Samb is at least a year or two from being a part of a team’s regular rotation. So essentially it’s Billups for Iverson. So who got the better end of this trade?
Denver’s side
Iverson has just not worked out in Denver, as the Nuggets have gone 1-8 in the playoffs with the Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, and Marcus Camby core. Camby was essentially jettisoned because of luxury tax purposes to the L.A. Clippers. It was doubtful if Denver, which barely squeaked into the playoffs last year as the #8 seed, would be able to contend in the Western Conference this year, especially after losing their two best defensive players (Camby and Eduardo Najera). A big shakeup was needed and now they got it.
Denver has long needed a solid point guard ever since Andre Miller left town (in the original Iverson trade ironically), and now they have one in Billups. It is interesting that Denver couldn’t afford Camby’s remaining contract (2 years, $15 million), but they can justify Billups’ contract (4 years, $50 million). Perhaps Denver believes that Kenyon Martin and Nene will be able to make up Camby’s presence and stats, but that remains to be seen. I just don’t get it with the Nuggets because they’re still going to be over the salary cap for a long time now, which is something I thought they were trying to avoid.
Detroit’s side
Detroit is basically trading a 32 point guard for a one year rental of Allen Iverson and a lot of cap space down the road. Remember Billups still has 4 years and over $50 million dollars still on his contract. That’s a lot of money for an aging point guard who has seen better days. Iverson is an odd fit for a system like Detroit’s, but perhaps it’s time for a change. This is not the same Pistons team from 4-5 years ago. Detroit now has a new coach, a lot of young guys who can run, and now Iverson. So maybe they will run a lot more this year.
The thing with Detroit is that they win either way. If Allen Iverson makes the Pistons better this year, then that’s great. If not, then Detroit has either a very large expiring contract in Iverson that they can trade, or they can just let Iverson walk at the season’s end, giving them a lot of cap space to play with. Iverson is going to be on his best behavior this season, as he is in a contract year, so that's a plus. And remember that Detroit still has Rodney Stuckey, who is looking like your starting PG for the 2009-2010 season.
Detroit, if it decides not to resign Iverson and/or Wallace, will have an abundance of cap room for the next two summers. The Pistons will be able to pursue numerous free agents such as LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Amare Stoudemire, Tracy McGrady, and many other high profile players. This trade also gives more playing time to Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell. It’s almost like Joe Dumars is rebuilding before he has to.
Bottom Line
This is a bold trade, make no mistake. Both teams were looking to shake up their cores, albeit for different reasons. Both teams appear to be winners, but I give the edge to Detroit. The Pistons were complacent and now they have Iverson, who at 33 is still a game changer. Iverson is hungry for a championship and knows this is probably his best last chance to win a title. The Pistons got their go-to scorer who can break down defenses in the playoffs.
It will be very interesting to see how both teams perform with their new acquisitions. It will be even more interesting to see what Joe Dumars’ next move will be.
9 comments:
Just saw this myself. My opinion is that I should congratulate you on your team acquiring one of the all-time best. I'm happy for the Pistons on this move, and think Denver will benefit as well, but not as much as Detroit.
What when was this?!
NOOOOOO!!!
Yeah thanks Jake.
I like this trade a lot. Not only does it get the Pistons Iverson, but they get a ton of cap space down the road.
i see this as an unneeded risk. anyone who says billups isn't hungry for another ring is crazy. he got injured late in the playoffs last year and still performed pretty well. two things beat detroit last year; the front court battle not the back court, and flip's refusal to play the bench practically at all (besides stucky) in that whole series. you have to give guys rest, which is why i was one of the few people happy to see suanders out and curry in. i mean really, you could probably count on one hand the minutes tp sat the whole boston series! you can look at bench playing time as a key factor in all piston playoff losses the last four years straight including game seven in san antonio(check the numbers yourself). with curry's willingness to take the leash of of our bench alone we significantly improved, while other teams have not. i think we can all agree the winner between boston and detroit beats l.a. last year, and i really don't see how that's really changed much. i say if it aint broke then why fix it? i guess it's too late now and piston fans will just have to keep their fingers crossed for the "great free agent sweepstakes of 2010".
Man Steve,
You defiantly swayed my opinion on this one. “Mr. Big Shot” Is a huge icon that I would hate to see leave from Detroit, but Iverson will allow us to have a 1-2 punch in the running game between him and Rip. This should be good.
This is my first time reading your blog, nicely done young man. I look forward to reading your work in the national media one day. Thanks for another perspective on a spectacular day in Detroit sports history.
Anonymous:
You make some very good points. This trade is so unique in that there is no clear winner. I never said Billups wasn’t hungry for another ring. The thing is that he is a 32 year old point guard who is declining. He also has a large contract as well. Joe Dumars is essentially rebuilding his team before he has to. Would you rather Dumars trade Billups now or in 2-3 years when he is not nearly as good as he is now and when he’s getting paid $11 million a year?
As for the playoffs, yes, rebounding killed the Pistons. But the bench wasn’t really that relevant. You play your bench in the season to save your starters for the playoffs. And if you look at the Pistons’ bench last year, it really wasn’t all that good. Jarvis Hayes was good in the season, but his poor defense was exposed in the playoffs. Lindsey Hunter was only good in short spurts. Jason Maxiell played as did Stuckey. In the playoffs you play your best players the longest. Just look at the past Eastern Conference Finals with the Celtics. Paul Pierce usually played 40+ minutes a game, as did Kevin Garnett.
But it was broke. That’s the thing. The Pistons have lost three straight years in the playoffs. A change was needed. It was really that simply. Iverson gives the Pistons someone who can create his own shot against stingy playoff defenses, something they haven’t had in a long time. And if Iverson doesn’t work out, then Dumars can let him and Sheed walk and then he’ll have the cap space to make a run at Lebron, Wade, Bosh, and other high profile players. And don’t forget that they still have Stuckey, who will probably be the starting PG next year.
Jake:
Yes, I agree, the Pistons will definitely be able to run more. A lot more. Imagine a lineup of Iverson, Stuckey, Rip, Tayshaun, and Amir. Man, all those guys can fly. I can’t wait for tomorrow night’s game to see how this works out.
As for Billups, yes, he will be truly missed. But I would trade him now while the Pistons still can rather than pay him $10+ million a year when he’s 34.
Timothy:
Thanks for the kind words!
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