Nuggets cut loose veteran Howard

DENVER (AP) — The Nuggets' trade of Allen Iverson to Detroit meant the end of Juwan Howard's short stay in Denver.

The Nuggets acquired point guard Chauncey Billups, forward Antonio McDyess and center Cheikh Samb from the Pistons on Monday in exchange for Iverson. Although there's speculation that the Nuggets will buy out McDyess' contract, Rex Chapman, the team's vice president of player personnel, said McDyess is staying.

With 14 players on the roster after acquiring three for one, the Nuggets waived Howard, their only player with a non-guaranteed contract.

Howard had played in all three of Denver's game so far, scoring one bucket while averaging 7.3 minutes.

The 14th-year pro has also played for Washington, Dallas, Orlando and Houston.