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Pistons acquire Iverson for Billups, McDyess, Samb
Posted Nov 3 2008 3:26PM
The Denver Nuggets have agreed to a deal that would send Allen Iverson to the Pistons in exchange for Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb, the two teams announced Monday.
"We are pleased to welcome Allen Iverson to the Pistons organization," said Joe Dumars, Pistons President of Basketball Operations. "Allen has proven he is one of the elite players in the league and we like what he adds to our roster at the guard position. We appreciate everything that Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb brought to the organization during their time here in Detroit and we certainly wish them all the best."
There is one sticking point to the deal, though. TNT analyst David Aldridge reports that McDyess does not want to go to Denver, and a source close to him says "he will not put on a Nuggets uniform" and may opt to retire.
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.
The Nuggets are extremely close to the luxury tax number of $71.1 million. Teams that spend more than that on player salaries have to pay a dollar for dollar penalty if they exceed the amount; every dollar spent above $71.1 million thus costs a team $2 in tax.
The deal has not been finalized but the teams are holding a conference call with the league.
In three games with the Nuggets this season, Iverson is averaging 18.7 points and 6.7 assists.
In the Pistons' two wins this season Chauncey Billups is averging 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists, while Antonio McDyess is averaging 7.0 points and 4.0 rebounds in 19 minutes per game.
The blockbuster deal comes two games into the season for Detroit. The Pistons have been a model of consistency in recent years, but they were determined to change their core following a third straight exit from the Eastern Conference finals last summer.
The Pistons play at Charlotte Monday night. The Bobcats are coached by Larry Brown, who led Billups and the Pistons to the 2004 NBA title and also guided the Iverson-led Philadelphia 76ers to a spot in the finals in 2001.
Billups returns to familiar surroundings -- he was born in Denver and played in college at Colorado. McDyess also will be enjoying a homecoming of sorts, having been a Nugget from 1995-97 and 1998-02.
