IVERSON / BILLUPS TRADE
11/04/2008

Forget the US election...the big news this week was the Allen Iverson / Chauncey Billups trade.

In a deal that pretty much no one saw coming, the Pistons dealt away their team captain and former Finals MVP (along with Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb) on Monday night, in return for the 33 year old.

"We just felt it was the right time to change our team," Pistons president Joe Dumars said. "Iverson gives us a dimension that we haven't had here and we really think it's going to help us."

OK, so A.I. will bring some instant offence...but I can't help thinking this may mess with Detroit's style.

Detroit are a defence-first team. A.I. likes to pick off loose passes, but D ain't really his thing.

Detroit are all about teamwork on O...A.I. likes to jack it.

The Detroit fans LOVE Chauncey Billups...as do the players. Why break it up?

A.I. is still fast as hell and can put the ball in the basket - but he's no spring chicken any more.

I can only think it's part of a longer term plan. Iverson's contract is up after this season (as is Rasheed Wallace's) whilst Billups has three more years. This will leave the Pistons with a lot of cap space. Maybe Detroit bosses have their eye on signing some big free agents? Hmmm....LeBron James anyone?

Greg Tanner for Basketball 24/7