Dissecting the Deal: Fantasy Impact of Allen Iverson-Chauncey Billups Trade

It is rare, but exciting to have a trade involving superstar names like Allen Iverson and Chauncey Billups this early in the season. Obviously this trade will have a dramatic impact on this year’s campaign, but what impact will it have on your fantasy season? Let’s take a deeper look at this blockbuster deal.

Denver Nuggets Breakdown

George Karl and the Nuggets were struggling to find a starting lineup they could be content with when Iverson was on the team. They were starting an Anthony Carter-AI backcourt that was the smallest in the league because, despite Iverson's point guard skills, he's most effective off the wing.

The addition of Billups gives the Nuggets a true scoring point guard to run the show. If Billups is going to start and be the primary ball-handler, there is no need for Carter to be a starter on the Nuggets, or your fantasy squad.

Enter J.R. Smith. 

Smith is one of the NBA's better outside shooters and he has an explosive finishing ability in the lane. He is no defensive liability, either, with his length and athleticism, and the fifth-year pro has already posted a 10-rebound game this season.

In my NBA's Best Bench's article, I had J.R. Smith as the bench player who is most deserving of a starting spot in the NBA. If he's available I would pick him up ASAP because, with 36 minutes of playing time, his numbers from last season project to 23 points, four threes, four rebounds, three assists and over one steal per game.

Now, back to Billups, who has only broke the eight-assists-per-game mark once in his 13-year career. Cut him some slack, though, because he has been in the low-scoring Pistons offense for a majority of his time as a starter.

Last season, Iverson averaged 7.2 assists per game and Carter averaged 5.5 for Denver. In the 2006-07 season, Andre Miller was averaging 9.1 assists per game for the Nuggets before being traded to Philadelphia. Denver will be the most explosive offense Billups has ever played with, and as he looks to gel with his teammates, especially Carmelo Anthony, I expect his assist numbers to exceed eight per game by the end of the season.

Iverson's exit also leaves around 25 points or 19 shots per game up for grabs. Billups will still get his 10-plus shots per game and the rest will go to Smith. Chauncey will still hit his threes, get steals, and shoot an excellent percentage from the line; there is also the hometown X-factor at play. If there are any owners who don't like this deal, take Billups off their hands at a discounted price and reap the benefits.

In most fantasy leagues, Antonio McDyess is the last-man on your bench or first-man on the free agency list. His addition is a great move for the Nuggets because he is a solid rebounder who has developed a deadly mid-range jumper. McDyess will most likely log most of his good minutes against the better opponents in the West, which is not great from a fantasy perspective.

The Nuggets like Linas Kleiza, who many thought would be a part of this deal, and they will let him develop because he is the future. McDyess posted his best numbers from a minutes and rebounds standpoint since his old Denver days last season; his potential is limited, but he is a safe acquisition in deeper fantasy leagues.

Now to Carmelo Anthony. George Karl likes him shooting somewhere around 20 shots per game, so I wouldn't expect his scoring to jump over the 30-point mark, but physiologically this has to have a big impact on Melo. The Nuggets were always his team, but it would be a lie to say he wasn't sharing the spotlight with AI. Now this is his team, and his team only.

Iverson is a media scapegoat, but now when the team is struggling all eyes will turn to Anthony. He served his DUI suspension, cut his braids, and his ready to lead the Nuggets past the first round of the playoffs. Fantasy owners should be elated to see what Melo will do as the alpha dog in Denver.

Detroit Pistons Breakdown

Some people are scratching their heads at this deal from the Pistons perspective, but there are a lot of benefits to it from a basketball standpoint, and fantasy owners can benefit, too.

One of the best things about Iverson's game is that, with his one-on-one scoring ability, he could go to any team in the league and instantly be effective. Since the move to Denver, Iverson has lowered his attempts per game to fewer than 20, increased his field goal percentage to above 45 percent, and still averaged over 25 points per game.

Last season, Iverson had a career low 3.0 turnovers per game to go along with 7.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game. The only thing I question is whether he will average over 39 minutes per game, something he has done in all of his 13 seasons. Iverson is Iverson and will always be Iverson. If you have him on your team, there is a good chance you like the way he plays, and he will continue to produce for you because he always plays to win. As long as he gets his minutes, hold onto "The Answer."

I would expect Iverson to come in as the starting point guard, but for the Pistons this move was partially to make room on the court for combo-guard Rodney Stuckey. The addition of Iverson gives the Pistons potential for some interesting lineups. More teams are moving to three-guard looks, and Rodney Stuckey, Allen Iverson, and Richard Hamilton is a trio that works on both ends of the court.

If you are unfamiliar with Stuckey, get to know him. The 6'5" second-year guard from Eastern Washington, who sat out the beginning of last year with a three broken bones in his hand, is for real. When Billups was hurt late last year, Stuckey came in to start against Minnesota and put up 27 points in 33 minutes of play. He is still learning in his young career, but if Stuckey is available in your league, pick him up for some dynamic guard play. 

Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and Rasheed Wallace are the only remaining members from the Pistons 2004 championship team. There is a chance that they may sacrifice a few shot attempts with Iverson on the court, but this trade could also mean that Michael Curry is looking to pickup the tempo, which would result in more team shot attempts.

Despite being an Olympian, Prince is not a very good fantasy player to begin with. Richard Hamilton could get more outside looks from Iverson's ability to drive-and-kick. Wallace is the Pistons' primary post option and will still get his threes, too. These guys should not see much change from the trade.

So who will fill McDyess' shoes? Amir Johnson is developing nicely as the starting power forward position and will continue to produce. The trade solidifies Jason Maxiell's spot as the first big off the bench. Maxiell is a high-energy player and can produce points, rebounds, and blocks in short spurts. Walter Herrmann and Kwame Brown will also see an increase in minutes due to the trade. I would only recommend these three bigs as viable options in leagues with over 180 rostered players. 


I hope this breakdown helps you out as you set your lineups in a post-trade world. Hit me up, let’s talk fantasy hoops.