Allen Iverson-Chauncey Billups Trade Good for Both Teams

When I first heard that Allen Iverson had been traded by the Nuggets for Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess, I was surprised because I hadn’t heard any rumors about this leading up to the deal. But the move didn’t surprise me at all after looking at the deal from both teams' perspectives.

If the Pistons had kept Billups, they probably would have still made it past the first round of the playoffs like usual, and even the conference finals; but that’s as far as they were going to go.

The Pistons have proven the last few years that, while they are a very good team, they’re not a great team. Trading Billups isn’t a knock on him as much as it is a move that the Pistons had to make in order to try to get to that next level.

While Billups, Rip Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, and Tayshaun Prince are all borderline All-Stars that have great chemistry together, none of them are superstars. Iverson gives the Pistons that superstar they need to take over games when their offense is going flat. Trading Billups should also allow up-and-coming player Rodney Stuckey a chance to eventually start at point guard for Detroit.

Although Iverson is 34 years old and has a very high salary, he only has one year left on his contract. So even if Iverson doesn’t help the Pistons get over the top, I’m sure GM Joe Dumars will not regret taking the risk.

Iverson should not only give the Pistons a different element on offense but should inject adrenaline into the team, making them play even harder this season.

If the Nuggets had kept Iverson, they probably would have either barley made the playoffs or just missed it.

Iverson just didn’t fit well into the Nuggets' scheme because they already have a bonafide superstar in Carmelo Anthony, who doesn’t play defense well. 

Billups should bring more defense and structure to the Nuggets. Billups is a great team point guard who knows how to run an offense and make his teammates better. 

The younger players, such as Nene Hilario, J.R. Smith, and Linas Kleiza, will especially benefit from the addition of Billups.

Although Iverson is a great player, he is also very unorthodox and can be hard to fit into a team system. Billups will be that structured point guard the Nuggets have been looking for the last few years to lead their team past the first round of the playoffs.