Reactions to the Billups/Iverson trade

by Matt Watson on Nov 3, 2008 2:55 PM EST

It's not quite "you heard from Joe Dumars' mouth himself" official, but it's "even NBA.com is reporting it" official. Here's what people are saying:

NBA.com:

Because of McDyess's objection, the Nuggets may waive the mandatory physical each player in a trade must take in order for the league to approve any deal. McDyess may be seeking a buyout of the remainder of his contract (two years, $13.6 million).

A source with knowledge of the trade discussions says that the Nuggets would be willing to discuss a buyout with McDyess, but only if he agrees to a "significant" amount less than the $13.6 million he's due through the end of the 2009-10 season.

According to the source, McDyess would have to give up about 50 percent of his salary, meaning he'd have to agree to take about $6.8 million of the $13.6 million he's due in any potential buyout if he wants to play elsewhere. Otherwise, the Nuggets will keep him on their roster regardless of whether he decides to report or not.

Jeremy at Pixaxe and Roll:

One thing I do not want to lose site of in the excitement of this trade is I wanted to comment on the Allen Iverson Era in Denver. The Iverson deal made the Nuggets relevant and a dark horse for a title entering last season which was a rarity for Nugget fans. He gave it his all night in and night out and no matter what you think of him personally off the court or his style on it he was fun to watch. I have no idea how he will fare in Detroit, maybe Dumars wants him for his expiring deal as much as for his talents as a player, but Piston fans need not wonder if he wants to win. He may be slowing on offense, but he will be bringing a new defensive mindset with him to Detroit so that is a nice little bonus thanks to George Karl.

So to AI, thank you for the year and a half you spent in Denver and good luck in Detroit or wherever else you may end up.

Kelly Dwyer of Ball Don't Lie:

It's an absolute steal for the Pistons.

It's an absolute steal even if Iverson turns an ankle on his way toward Auburn Hills and doesn't play a game for this team, because Dumars just managed to do the exact thing (acquire cap space in one fell swoop) that the Nuggets had been supposedly trying to do all along with AI and his expiring contract.

The Nuggets? I've become convinced that they think the NBA is folding sometime this summer.

ESPN's Marc Stein:

The Pistons, meanwhile, will undoubtedly contend that their risks are mitigated by the fact that Iverson, who turned 33 in June, is in the final year of his contract at $20.8 million.

Dumars loves to gamble on players who are reputed to possess as many minuses as pluses, as seen with the trade-deadline acquisition of Rasheed Wallace in 2004 which spurred Detroit to its first championship since Dumars was playing in 1990. If this gamble doesn't work, swapping Billups for Iverson would give Detroit financial flexibility to pursue a more aggressive makeover next summer, with the highly regarded Rodney Stuckey staying put as the long-term cornerstone of the Pistons' backcourt.

Dime Magazine:

Do you start Iverson at point, keep Rip Hamilton at the two and bring Rodney Stuckey off the bench? What about going small with Stuckey at PG, Iverson at SG, Rip at SF and Tayshaun Prince at the four? Or you could have a Stuckey/Iverson backcourt, keep Prince at the three and bring Hamilton off the bench as the second unit’s top scorer while Iverson leads the first unit. However coach Michael Curry wants to play it, Iverson’s ability to play the two or the one at an All-NBA level gives him greater options than he had with Billups, an All-NBA point guard but not so much as a two-guard. With Iverson’s speed, a small lineup featuring Stuckey, Iverson, Rip, Tayshaun and Jason Maxiell could run with the fastest teams in the League, while the Pistons still have the elements to play a slower half-court game as well.

Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press:

The Pistons could’ve had Iverson last July in a trade involving Chauncey Billups, but Carmelo Anthony was the first Denver Nugget on their list. Joe Dumars underestimated (sic) the value of his pieces on the trade market when he made his bold declaration at last season’s end that dramatic change was coming. The real value of the veteran core of Billups, Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace was in how they played together.

Dumars promised change, and when the same team returned for the season opener last week, the reaction from the Palace crowd was like watching "Gone With the Wind" for the 50th time.

Sure, it’s a classic, but how many times can you watch Atlanta burn without inevitably getting bored seeing it collapse in flames?

There are dozens more I'm leaving out -- to help find them all, refresh BallHype's Chauncey Billups and Allen Iverson tag pages frequently.

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Comments

I’m trying REALLY hard to like this trade… at one point in time (2005 or so) I’d have done almost ANYTHING to get Allen Iverson on our team (though I won’t lie, I thought we’d be giving up Rip and Stuff, not Chauncey)…

I just can’t. Stuckey doesn’t look ready to run the offense, I don’t trust Iverson at point to be honest and I’m lost as to where this leaves Rip but if it’s coming off the bench he will NOT be happy.

Finally Dyees got jobbed… badly. He deserved a lot better from the organization than this… EVERYONE knows he’s only in the league to give another try or maybe two for a title, that is NOT happening in Denver…

by PistonsGirl4Life on Nov 3, 2008 3:02 PM EST reply actions

I must say Joe D is a cold ass mu’fukka lol. I mean I think all the core players were bracing themselves to be moved in the offseason or were at least trying there best to make the case to stay. It look like it was gonna happen and then 2 games into the season (a 2-0 season mind you)….BAM! This happens. lol.
I guess it will keep some players on there toes too but I dont know if thats a good enviroment for a ballclub to try be cohesive.
Oh well, this is gonna be a hilarious rebuilding stage (lol@ Sheed and AI…..period) but I guess in Joe D I trust right?

by prophecy_projectz on Nov 3, 2008 3:13 PM EST reply actions

I think Henry Abbott took the words out of my mouth…

“Today Joe Dumars has parlayed a 32-year-old point guard into a rental of Allen Iverson, and the bedrock players of the Pistons’ long-term future.”

PG4L, I didn’t like the trade at first, either, but it makes a lot of sense now. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Dice ends up back in Detroit between now and the end of the year. Basically, negotiate the buyout, take some time off, resign for vet’s minimum.

The other thing, look at it this way…Dumars just became a major player in next years’ UFA derby, as well as 2010. (I think you need to see the thread immediately above this one)

It will be interesting if AI can play for MC. I don’t like the chemistry, either, but this is probably his last, best chance at getting a ring. That’s the selling point for him.

The last thing, after all these years, you should trust Joe D. I do. Apparently, he saw enough slippage of Chauncey’s talents and an opportunity to get a $21M expiring contract to do the deal.

Chad Ford, of all the national writers, probably has the bes relationship with Dumars, and got a scoop of sorts to explain why Dumars pulled the trigger on the trade, here: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=IversonTrade-Dumars-081103 .

by V on Nov 3, 2008 3:19 PM EST reply actions

11-03-08

Joe Dumar is making a big mistake! Alan Iverson at 33, will
not be as fast as he used to be and bring Dumar a championship.

Stuckey is not mature and experienced enough to be the main
point-guard. Look for Joe Dumar to get rid of Rasheed Wallace’s
$16.8 million dollar contract by the end of 2008-2009 season.

Joe Dumar should have paid Ben Wallace what Ben was asking for.
His trust on the newer people like Hermann, Juan Dixon, Jarvis
Hayes, Kwame Brown, etc was all unfounded like building castles
in thin air. Detroit Pistons will not be champions in NBA for
a long period of time to come.

by Thomas Chin on Nov 3, 2008 5:28 PM EST reply actions

Kelly Dwyer is a fool.

by moymoyLA on Nov 4, 2008 1:48 AM EST reply actions

its sorry for the pistons… how sad…

by ace on Nov 4, 2008 7:15 AM EST reply actions

Although I have never been a huge Chauncey fan, I also wonder about the trade. Trading a aging big guard for an older small guard is interesting – especially in the East. Acceptance of AI, chemistry among the players, AI’s acceptance of limited playing time, what happens of they don’t win alot … all landmines along the way. I understand the upside – AI REALLY wants a ring, clearing salary cap at the end of the season, shaking the place up and Joe being a man of his word (Things are going to change here) all make sense, but don’t the Pistons really need a superior big man? I love Sheed, but honestly, he is sooo talented and sooo intelligent he just gets bored out there and let’s stuff get by him and around him because his mind isn’t always in the game.

Hopefully, Joe can get Dice back for league minimum (Dice would have to agree to a smaller buyout for Denver to do that) and maybe throw a multi-million dollar cookie out there for him if they get to the Finals and win. One-time bonuses only count against the current years salary cap.

What I’m watching is the Stephon Marbury situation in New York, If they waive him, Joe would be remiss in not acquiring him, if for no other reason than to keep one of the contenders from picking him up. Just a random thought.

All in all, I reserve judgement until February/March.

by Bodyman Bruce on Nov 4, 2008 10:38 AM EST reply actions

The only loss here is for the pistons. Denver got a awesome clutch player… and detroit got a trouble maker that says he doesn’t PRACTICE!!I still love the Boston trade……. GO CELTICS!!! haha

by JMAN on Nov 5, 2008 12:30 PM EST reply actions

Hey Joe D is also an idiot for trying to fit AI in to the pistons ball club

by JMAN on Nov 5, 2008 12:32 PM EST reply actions

I had a hard time accepting this one at first gasp, but the Pistons are 4-0 now, the lsst two without Billups, Dyess, or Iverson. That makes me think that adding in 20-30 ppg and 7+ apg can’t be a bad thing. Also, AI used to be an excellent defender, leading the league in steals 4 times. He’s still serviceable there, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Pistons culture inspire him to jack his D up – the pundits used to say Rip couldn’t play defense before he came here. Sure the salary cap thing is all well and good, but I think this is the move that pushes them back over the top and over the Celtics. 3 All Stars, 1 Olympian, + Rodney Stuckey should balance out to more than the Celtics 3 All Stars – Posey. If they do manage to get McDyess back, and he was quoted this summer as saying that he’d only play for Detroit unless he retired, then I would rank the Pistons as easily the top team in the league, good enough to challenge the Bull’s 72 win season.

by macs13 on Nov 6, 2008 1:16 PM EST reply actions