Nuggets, Pistons swap Iverson for Billups, McDyess
By LARRY LAGE, AP Sports Writer 12 minutes ago
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DETROIT (AP)—The Detroit Pistons shook the NBA in a big way Monday—landing
former MVP Allen Iverson from the Denver Nuggets.
The Pistons gave up All-Star point guard and former NBA finals MVP Chauncey
Billups and top reserve Antonio McDyess.
The trade was confirmed by a basketball official, who spoke to The
Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the deal had not been
announced.
Pistons spokesman Kevin Grigg declined to comment, and messages were left
for a Nuggets spokesman as well as for an agent representing Billups and
McDyess.
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.