AI to Detroit

[octothorp]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3679931

Detroit and Denver have agreed in principle to a trade that exchanges AI for McDyess and Billups.

I don't know, this is a weird one to me, especially given that rumours are that McDyess will retire rather than play in Denver. AI changes the dynamic of Detroit, but I don't really think he makes them better, and from Denver's point of view, I think this is basically a salary dump.

[HOOT]

Well Billups gets to play in front of his home town now.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by octothorp

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3679931

Detroit and Denver have agreed in principle to a trade that exchanges AI for McDyess and Billups.

I don't know, this is a weird one to me, especially given that rumours are that McDyess will retire rather than play in Denver. AI changes the dynamic of Detroit, but I don't really think he makes them better, and from Denver's point of view, I think this is basically a salary dump.

That's probably why they gave up Billups for AI. Maybe Denver was asking for another veteran player along with Billups, so Detroit decided McDyess is retiring anyways so why not. Denver just needs to win this season.

[bluejays]

A bit of an odd deal in my mind. Denver wasn't looking too bad this year, especially with Nene coming on, Anderson possibly playing the PF sometimes with Martin, and Iverson and Anthony shooting everything. Perhaps not a championship team, but a very very good one. Billups is a tier 1 PG, but I don't think they needed him over Iverson. With the guy's expiring contract, I think Detroit did fairly well in the deal, but still, it's a no-win for both teams. Just a really odd trade.

[malcolmk14]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that can't make sense of this trade.

[FanIn80]

Yeah I saw this this morning. Crazy! I couldn't believe it, I had to read the headline twice...

[JohnnyFlame]

It's actually very much a win win trade. Detroit has a good young core and now will be able to go after Bosh/James in 2010. They add a solid scorer for this year and can balance off his poor defense. His expiring contract along with Wallace's put them in prime position to make an FA move.

Denver very much needed to upgrade defensively and they did so in acquiring Billups. Plus he is a smart player who will get the ball in Melo's hands. His postup game with his size is also advantageous.

Detroit is one of the best run teams in the NBA. Dumars is very, very good. An old team looking to smoothly transition. Denver's move more of a short term move but it will help them. However in the West methinks all it does is move them up a couple at best notches.

[mykalberta]

I heard this was all about the James Sweepstakes on 2010 for Detroit as AI is an expiring contract, and they have alot of good young guys coming up.

[malcolmk14]

I have no idea why you guys think LeBron James will leave Cleveland to go to Detroit. If he leaves Cleveland (which I HIGHLY doubt he will), he's going to New York or LA. Why would he leave one midwest city to go to another one? That makes no sense.

They'll go after some big free agents but LeBron won't be going to Detroit. Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh however, are both free agents the same year.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

I have no idea why you guys think LeBron James will leave Cleveland to go to Detroit. If he leaves Cleveland (which I HIGHLY doubt he will), he's going to New York or LA. Why would he leave one midwest city to go to another one? That makes no sense.

They'll go after some big free agents but LeBron won't be going to Detroit. Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh however, are both free agents the same year.

I agree 110%. I think though, that Bosh will sign in Toronto. He's too good a guy not to. Wade will go to the highest bidder, but regardless, I think Detroit suits his personality.