For Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess, and other throw ins.

Holy spiff.

That's a pretty sweet deal. Detroit finally picks up an elite level player who happens to have an expiring contract and Denver gets a real PG and a much needed body inside (assuming he goes). What the heck is Detroit's lineup now? Does Stuckey stay on the bench? Do they sit one of Rip or Prince? Or do they go super-small and have 'Sheed as the only big (not a fan of that)? They should be an interesting team to watch. Plus what do they do in the off-season, try to re-sign AI or turn over the reigns to Stuckey and get a huge amount of money off their cap? 'Sheed is a FA also, so if they want to blow it up and start over that's over $30 mil that could be coming off the books. Plus Rip only has one year left, so it's possible they can go into 2010 with cap space coming out of their ass and a core of Stuckey/Prince/Johnson/Maxiell and throw a ton of money at Lebron/Wade/Melo. That's really a VERY interesting situation now.

smart move both teams

Small note...Melo has 1 more year on his contract than lebron/wade. However, Bosh is also a FA that offseason. As is that Iverson dude.

Yeah, I was mistaken, thought Melo had the same opt-out everyone else in that class did. So remove Melo and potentially add guys like Amare, Dirk, Yao, Manu and Joe Johnson.

I think it's a terrible trade for the Pistons from a personnel standpoint ... But it makes me happy as a Bulls fan. Chauncy is better than AI. Then throw in McDyess and it's a steal for Denver.

I guess it gives Detroit cap relief after this season, which must be why they made the trade. Otherwise, I can't figure it out.

That's the main reason, it gives them a ton of cap space this off-season with AI expiring and 'Sheed probably leaving. Speculation is that they'll go after Carlos Boozer this off-season and still have money for 2010 whether they sign him or not (though they extended Hamilton as well, so I believe no max deal if they get Boozer).

Secondly, he hasn't won as much, but AI is probably a better player. Billups is obviously a true PG and is more efficient with the ball, but AI is far more explosive as a scorer and generates about as many good shots for others. My guess is they think AI is more likely to make a major impact and that he gives them a better shot to do something this year. That can definitely backfire though, so the cap stuff is the main reason.

I like this trade if only for the fact that Rasheed Wallace doesn't

good move for the future for the pistons