No risk, no reward: Why Denver and Detroit gambled with Allen Iverson, Chauncey Billups blockbuster

November 03 08

So much for Detroit not changing. And so much for Denver keeping things thrifty.

In case you missed it, these two squads pulled off an intriguing blockbuster. The Nuggets sent Allen Iverson to the Pistons in exchange for Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess, and Cheikh Samb.

By now, you’ve read the analysis. And by now, you’ve argued who won and lost a dozen times over with co-workers and facebook friends. Instead of giving another breakdown, I’m applauding both sides for refusing to accept their predicament and trying to improve.

Make no mistake, Detroit and Denver both gambled. Big time.

Piston executive Joe Dumars could’ve once again sent out his big four, reclined in his leather recliner, and collected another 55 win season. The Hall of Fame guard knew his current group would fall short come playoffs, so he changed his nucleus –and drastically.

The ‘D’ is now younger and cheaper. The club has just 38 million dollars on the books for next season and, with Rip Hamilton’s extension, 27 million dollars for 2009-2010. Adding prime free agents with youngsters Rodney Stuckey, Jason Maxiell, Tayshaun Prince, and Arron Afflalo is the priority.

Dealing Billups is a risk, though. Mr. ‘Big Shot’ was the franchise face, a clutch performer who led by example. Yet, things had clearly stagnated and changes were eventually coming. Even though Stuckey is a rising star, I didn’t expect Billups to be departing just yet.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets were supposed to be holding a fire sale. All veterans must go. No offer too low. Marcus Camby was first gift-wrapped and given to the Los Angeles Clippers for cap space. Iverson was tabbed as the next to go, but most predicted Denver wanted back a combination of expiring contracts, inexpensive blue-chip prospects, and draft picks.

Well, think again. Instead of rebuilding on the cheap, The ‘Mile High City’ tried rebuilding on the fly, adding a pair of former Nuggets. I’m not sure this move improves the product long-term, but underwriting the remaining 48 million dollars on Billups’ contract takes guts, especially in the current economic climate.

Detroit and Denver could have played it safe, but chose otherwise. Whatever you think of the deal, the philosophy behind it deserves respect.

What are your thoughts on the Pistons and Nuggets gambling? Should either team have played it safe? Get at us in the comment box below and return to HoopsVibe The Blog for further NBA stuff. Photo courtesy of coursond34.

12 Comments: No risk, no reward: Why Denver and Detroit gambled with Allen (...)

Posted by

on 11.9.2008

Denver won this trade in the short-term because they got a point guard who controls tempo .

Posted by

on 11.5.2008

Maxiell just signed an extension stupid .

Posted by
EDGAR
on 11.5.2008

I THINK IT WAS A GOOD TRADE BUT WE ARE NOT GOING TO KEEP ALLEN IVERSON HE WILL BE LEAVING DURING THE SUMMER INCLUDING JASON MAXIELL .

Posted by
ai3
on 11.4.2008

it was a good trade for both teamsdetroit could use a good scorer and denver needs a leader and better defensebillups can offer a good campaigne for denver .

Posted by
Metaphor
on 11.4.2008

detroit’s now in the lebron sweepstakes? interesting .

Posted by
Future Scout
on 11.3.2008

I think so tripping for no reason. Joe is the only guy that skipped over guys and gets blasted for it, when he clearly was the most successful one. I can go to every draft and point out a GM that overlooked players for example 1998. Michael Olowakandi, Raef LaFrentz, Robert Traylor, Jason Williams were chosen before Dirk and Paul Pierce, Al Harrington, Rashard Lewis, even Cuttino Mobley has been better. So for people banging on Joe for not getting Anthony, Wade, Bosh, Kaman, etc... Are ridiculous sometimes win sometimes you lose. Joe still won on this like the others said. Plus like Oly said Joe is not afraid to take risk. I think that’s why he is the best in the league when making moves. Other teams play it safe and think to much, be like Nike and just do it .

Posted by
O.Sandor
on 11.3.2008

Hi Joe The Pro ... I agree. Dumars deserves a pa-------on Darko based on his other picks and moves. He was so talented and wise that Detroit could afford to flutter that pick away and still be successful. What do you guys think: does Dumars, based on his track record, deserves a pa-------on drafting Dako? Get at us on this or the post ... thanks ... .

Posted by
Joe The Pro
on 11.3.2008

People need to get off the Darko sh*t. We won a championships. Every team in history has examples of players they could have drafted. So what Darko was a throw in from a smart trade Joe D pulled off. He traded expensive garbage to the Grizzles. It’s not like the pistons sucked and got the second pick. They were contenders that had something fall in their laps. He got Stuckey who is only in his second year and looks to be a special player. It would be different he didn’t win any championships. Everyone likes to play the what if game, stick to facts. Anthony is a ball hog that won a championship in college. He hasn’t been amazing for the Nuggets. He is not a pistons type of player LB who have him sitting because he doesn’t focus on D first. A.I. atleast can make a difference on defense even if he shoots the ball a trillion times on offense. Anthony does that and you get nothing in return on the other end. If they end up getting Wade or Bosh than it just works itself out again anyway. What if some chance he pulled LeBron from Cleveland I read the yahoo article it has some points. What GM in this league can pa-------on players and still get them without really losing any success, it’s less than 5 I’ll tell you that .

Posted by
O.Sandor
on 11.3.2008

Hi 313 and Detroit Basketball ... Thanks for commenting. I agree very much with a lot of what you said. I have constantly praised Dumars as a top executive and he absolutely knows what he is doing. Billups is older, Stuckey is thriving, and they are now in a great position in terms of the cap. But how many GMs would have the guts to break up a team that is on the cusp every year and sleep walk their way to the Conference Finals and 55 wins. Even if it does make sense! Like I said Dumars is willing to take risks and keep Detroit highly competitive when most of his peers would stay with status quo ... That is the difference between him and everyone else. Cool? Get at me with thoughts. I don’t disagree with much, if anything, of what you said. Thanks for reading and commenting ... .

Posted by
313 resident
on 11.3.2008

How is this a risk? Billups is declining and was getting taken over in the playoffs by scrubs he’s a part of the reason we have been falling short. A player of Billups cailber should not be getting balled on by Nelson, Rondo, Williams, West, Gibson. Stuckey has picked Chauncey’s slack up and local reports said he was getting balled on in practice by Rodney. He has done great things for Detroit and brought us back to prominance, but truth be told he is slowly losing it and it was time to go. Joe knows when to get rid of guys, see Ben Wallace. He knows when to make the right moves people question see Rasheed Wallace. If when it looks like he screwed up he corrects it see Rodney Stuckey. Maybe going back to Denver will rejuvinate him. Or maybe he will get balled on by actual all-star guards like Williams, Parker, Paul, he may even get handled by Kidd a couple times. This is totally more risky for the Nuggets than the Pistons. Short-term A.I. won’t be bad and worst case we get back good cap room. I don’t like losing another big man in Dyess but we can find a viable replacement. We’re sort of small. I am not ready to put more emphasis on Kwame Brown to pick up the load, but you never know. All in all I like this deal and I can’t wait to see how this plays out. Thank God Joe D is the former bad boy running the show and not Isaiah. P.S. I’ll be objective drafting Mateen Cleaves and Rodney White in the lottery were the only two real mistakes he has made in 10 years. Like DB! said stop doubting this man, he is at the top of his game even on the second floor .

Posted by
Nate
on 11.3.2008

Drafting Darko worked out? Please. They passed on Bosh and Dwade, both of whom they are now pursuing which was your original point. .

Posted by
DETROIT BASKETBALL!
on 11.3.2008

Everyone should read the yahoo article on possibly why Joe did this deal. It backs up the facts that Joe was saying in an interview with Greg Kleser on the Pistons Insider. Joe basically said he’s thinking big, he wants flexibility to flex his muscles in the free agent market, not to just have a wish list but actually compete for LeBron, Dwade, Bosh, or whatever big name is out there the next few years. This was totally smart on his part and he continues to show why he is the best. People can say what they want about drafting Darko, but that worked itself out eventually us getting Rodney Stuckey our future. So that isn’t a failure.. This guy knows what he’s doing and anyone that doubts that will see you don’t doubt or judge Joe D .

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	About Oly Sandor
Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More

No risk, no reward: Why Denver and Detroit gambled with Allen Iverson, Chauncey Billups blockbuster

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