Monday, November 3, 2008

Breakin' News: Iverson traded to Detroit for Chauncey and McDyess

Big news out of Detroit and Denver today, first reported by MLive.com. The Pistons are finalizing a deal that sends Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess to Denver for Allen Iverson.

Is this really "The Answer" they are looking for? I don't think so. So the question comes, How does this help Detroit? Does it help at all (this season)?

For Denver, this is great. Not only do they get a backup PF/C for injury-prone Nene and KMart, but they are finally getting a true point guard to run the show, not to mention, improve their Defense in a very point-guard-loaded Western Conference.

This trade is basically saying that Detroit is selling. Billups had 2 more guaranteed years left on his contract, and McDyess has until after next season. Now, they have $20 Million coming off the books at the end of this year. But who are they clearing cap for?

Chad Ford broke down the list of Free Agents this coming summer. On this list, I can't see anyone that the Pistons would flat out make a run for. Maybe they want to resign Sheed? Doubt it. Re-sign Ivo? Nah. Ron Artest, playing in Detroit? (Laughing out loud). Boozer is likely to Opt out this coming off-season, but Detroit is loaded with young bigs (Amir and Maxiell), so that doesn't seem like a good fit.

Unless Detroit flips Ivo's expiring contract before the trade deadline, I worry they just decided they're also in the running for the 2010 Free Agent Class (Amare, Bosh, Wade and LeBron). The fact that Joe Dumars has young studs, and a resume of doing great things (including 6 straight trips to the Eastern Conference Finals), this could put him ahead of other squads (NY, NJ at the minimum), to steal one of these big names away.

On the Fantasy tip, I expect the big winner will be Denver's JR Smith, who should move to the starting 2 spot ahead of Anthony Carter. With Chauncey getting him more open looks, expect JR Smith to explode, especially in points and 3's. If he's on your Waiver Wire, time to grab him.

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