Pistons get Iverson from Nuggets

Source: Agencies  |   2008-11-5  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

THE Detroit Pistons acquired four-time National Basketball Association scoring champion Allen Iverson from the Denver Nuggets on Monday in a blockbuster deal that sent Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb to Colorado.

After watching Detroit knocked out in the Eastern Conference finals for a third consecutive year in May, President Joe Dumars had promised to shake things up.

He delivered on his word just two games into the new season swapping Billups, the most valuable player on the Pistons 2004 championship team, for Iverson, the 2001 league MVP.

"We are pleased to welcome Allen Iverson to the Pistons organization," Dumars said on the NBA Website. "Allen has proven he is one of the elite players in the league and we like what he adds to our roster at the guard position.

"We appreciate everything that Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb brought to the organization during their time here in Detroit and we certainly wish them all the best."

Taken with the No. 1 pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1996 draft, Iverson has been one of the most consistent and dynamic scoring threats averaging 27.7 points per game in 13 seasons.

A nine-time All-Star, 33-year-old Iverson averaged 18.7 points and 6.7 assists in the Nuggets' opening three games this season.

"He (Iverson) is a fierce competitor, he's going to bring tremendous energy to our basketball team and he's a proven All-Star in this league," said Pistons Vice-President Scott Perry. "He'll add excitement not only to our basketball team, but to the community at large."

Iverson is in the final year of his contract, making US$20.8 million this season. "He was very excited about the trade," Iverson's agent, Leon Rose, said.