We’re only 3 games into the season and we’re shipping Iverson already?

I guess this had been on the FO’s mind for some time now.

I’m of mixed opinion on this trade. I love Billups and Iverson both, but they’re both aging guards. Iverson brings it every night, but I have to admit that Billups would probably be a better pass-first guard – particularly when we already have big scoring threats in Carmelo and Nene. This trade would also allow the Nuggets to deal Chucky Atkins and Kleiza, potentially, for another reserve PG or a backup in the frontcourt for Nene and Juwan Howard.

I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Who is this Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess? I’m just happy we got Samb… ha ha.

But seriously, i like this deal alot. Our starting line-up gets bigger, stronger, younger and better on then defensive end without giving up too much on offense. And I’m with you: “Thanks for everything A.I. and good luck in Motown. Welcome home Mr. Big Shot!!”

sad to say, but AI is considered more an expiring contract than a player at this point of his career. and I love him.

not sure what your GM was thinking when he brough Iverson there, since he traded a pure PG (Miller) for him, then paired AI with two PGs (Atkins, Carter, correct me if I’m wrong) and then shipped him away to get another PG…

Anyway the trade makes sense for both teams, for different reasons, as you pinted out Jeremy. With Sheed and AI coming off the books next summer, Det has around 35 mill expiring in 2009, and still a good team to make a run for another Conference finals appearence (nothing more, honestly)

it’s “brought” and “pointed out”, sorry

But I Have To Say That The Path To Get To The Finals Is Alot Easier Through The East And Now The Pistons Have AI! Love It… Time To Join Up For Pistons Blog! I Can See It Now…. Pistons 2009 NBA Champs Baby!

I love it! I really liked Iverson…but we weren’t able to get it done with him.

I think it’ll take a little time for the guys to get on the same page; however, if JR comes into his own, the team stays healthy, and the new guys fit in well then this team may have what it takes to get to the elusive 2ND ROUND!!!

Deal is official.

Welcome to the new Nuggets, where we actually have a PG taller than 6 feet now.

I always liked the Melo-AI relationship but its time for a change and by change I mean 2nd round appearance.

But AI is still the best lil man and I hope he can get a ring in Detroit, after Denver of course

First, and foremost, I’m sure Kings fans don’t realize that Nuggs fans are getting a native son. That can be good, and bad. If Chauncey helps Melo mature, and other things, and gets his mojo back, this will be a slam dunk win for Denvert. Detroit stagnated, and it’s pretty much a guarantee that Iverson was not the right fit for the Nuggets or George Karl.

Financially this is an excellent move. It decreases the amount of luxury tax by 2 million dollars, and if the Nuggets can find a way to shed another contract, perhaps elminating tax altogether no matter how unlikely that is. Detroit wasn’t going to pay tax in this deal, I don’t think anyway according to numbers I have perused by on ShamSports, and that’s a big deal in all this. (I also checked the ESPN trade checker, and the numbers are nearly identical plus minus about 200 k, which is not a big deal all told. Here’s the trade machine link though if you choose to do see it yourself.) Plus the Pistons can become major players in the 2009 or 2010 Free Agent bonanza’s. I have no doubt this was a major issue too. So most people will say Detroit will win this unless Billups recovers, and there will be many people who believe that. But I think the hidden brilliance in this deal, financially, is that Denver not only saved money, but kept their future cap flexibility by making a play for a guy with 2 more guaranteed contracts after the end of this season. Yes, you’re taking on a commitment, but the Nuggs had Nene, and Kenyon Martin eating up much of their cap. Not to mention Melo’s hefty contract. Why not make a play for Billups? They weren’t going to make any move to get any big contract in the next 2 off-seasons anyway.

This is what I believe. I believe this is a potentially great deal for Denver. First, and I’m some have forgottent his, but Karl loved, and I mean loved to post Gary Payton when he was still in Seattle coaching the Sonics. (It pains me to write that living in the Emerald City too, but whatever. So many memories involving Seattle over the years, some positive and negative, but all worthwhile.) Billups, in part, I think lost some of his mojo because he was constantly forced to take a huge load of the offense for Detroit. For Denver, this won’t happen. Billups can pick his spots, and play far better man to man defense than Allen Iverson could dream. Even at 32 years old. So, in a lot of ways, this deal will work if Billups body hasn’t totally deteriorated to the point where he can’t be an All-Star for 15 mins a night as needed. If Billups and Melo can work together, and I have no doubt they can, since Melo is losing the crutch of AI, and since Billups status in Denver may be shakier, even noting his being from the Mile High City, which would make an adjustment I believe a bit easier, but not much, this could be the start of a fairly worthwhile prosperous relationship.

I give great kudo’s to Denver for trying, and attempting, to improve their team while they had the possibility to do so. Most people thought they really didn’t help themselves by trading Camby, but I think they didn’t hurt themselves nearly as much as many outsiders believe. Especially since Camby is believed to anchor much of the defense. For posterity sake, since the Kings dont’ have a shot at the playoffs, I hope Denver gets in, and wins a round. Just to say eff you all to the people who were naysayers. Good luck.

And probably for mostly pure chronological order so you can see where i was coming from.

I think Billups is a perfect fit as I say for Karl, and of course, the fact that he’s a native. That will I think diminish whatever inclinations he has for talking a bunch of smack in the Post or whatever the next 2 years. He may have balked at going somewhere else, but Denver is a great backup for him. He has to consider that while making Detroit a home, Denver is a place where he is notorious for something. (Best hooper ever right? Him or MIchael Ray Richardson maybe on talent?)

Bottom line, is that I personally believe Allen Iverson was good for the Nuggets, both coming and going, and amazingly, good for the Sixers, and will be for the Pistons too. Iverson can give the PIstons more time to gel than the Nuggets had 2 seasons ago, and his huge expiring contract will give them more than enough cap room to sign any potential free agent (and give reasons for guys with opt out to do so).

It’s amazing to me, for no other reason, how much juice Iverson has kept in the NBA as a 5’ 11" guard. No matter how you feel about the guy, I’ve ranged from un-impressed to impressed and everywhere in between, he does bring his all, and if you don’t think he belongs in the Hall of Fame now, you’re an idiot.

Kudos to you, Jeremy, for pointing out that an Iverson deal had to save Denver money. I didn’t hear it anywhere else, and I’m glad I get to read this blog every once in awhile. (Less than I like, but that’s true of all the blogs on the basketball side of things too.)

Your point about the exception is very astute. What fans may not realize, and having looked this up, as many conversations in Kings land over the summer included how to use Golden State’s expired exception for trading Jason Richardson, is that the exception has to cover the WHOLE salary for the player. It doesn’t matter if that’s 2 million dollars, or 9 million, as long as the exception covers the whole salary for the player being traded. For further reference to this read this FAQ by Larry Coon. (He is the best simple source for the salary cap. Other stuff is far too complicated. He does a good job boiling it down to laments terms. For those who aren’t aware.) Back to the regular portion of this program, is that the Nuggets can now pick up a player, with that trade exception, and probably steal that guy from a cap paying team looking to get under the tax. Doing so means that Denver has a choice of their players, and not many teams generally look to help tax paying teams unless they get something truly unique out of it. Getting a quality player for cheap does qualify as such.

Last but not least, Jeremy, thanks for the education on the Nuggets. Without having read this previously, I would be a bit confused on some of the comments such as this:

The Nuggets now will be starting Billups, J.R, Melo, Kenyon and Nene. That is a very good starting five capable of both scoring and playing stout defense. For all the hatred spouted at the Nuggets over the Camby trade, there is no doubt that today the team is better than they were at the end of last season and to top things off they are far cheaper as well.

As they say in the “hall”, B-I-N-G-O.

Aiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight?

I enjoyed watching him in Philly, but I am glad we got rid of him. Best of luck.

Great trade

Very happy to see a legit point guard on this team, and very happy that JR Smith has this opportunity to shine.