Iverson traded for Billups

DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons worked the phones last summer, trying to trade for a superstar to shake up their roster.

They ended up standing pat because a deal didn't make sense.

Two games into the season, Allen Iverson was the answer to their hopes in a blockbuster that generated rare buzz for the NBA in November.

Detroit acquired the former NBA MVP on Monday for All-Star point guard and former finals MVP Chauncey Billups, top reserve Antonio McDyess and project Cheikh Samb.

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

The Pistons have reached six straight Eastern Conference finals — the longest streak since the Los Angeles Lakers' dominant run in the 1980s — and won the 2004 title without a player expected to be in the Hall of Fame.

Dumars said the Nuggets contacted him Thursday with a proposal that included Iverson. Dumars, who was concerned the Pistons were set in their ways, struck a deal at 1:45 a.m. Monday.

"It gives us a different way to attack people," Dumars said. "We have been extremely successful for a long time. But I also think what comes with that is a little bit of predictability."

Iverson may not be around for long — making $20.8 million in the final season of his contract — but The Answer might be what Detroit needs to return to the NBA finals for the first time since 2005.

The Pistons are hoping Iverson will play Wednesday at Toronto and barring injury, his home debut will be Sunday night against the Boston Celtics.

Detroit played Monday night at Charlotte, where the Bobcats are led by Larry Brown. The Hall of Fame coach helped Billups and the Pistons to the 2004 NBA title and guided the Iverson-led Philadelphia 76ers to the finals in 2001.

"Trading Marilyn Monroe for Jane Russell. That's not bad," Brown said. "Joe knows what he's doing, and I'm happy Chauncey's going back to Denver and his family is there."

Iverson talked about the possibility of being traded during training camp and said the only negative would be uprooting his family again.