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Denver Nuggets: 4 Greatest Trades In Franchise History

By Kyle Standfield

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Oct 30, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups (1) shoots a free throw during the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons won 113-102. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2013; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons point guard Chauncey Billups (1) shoots a free throw during the fourth quarter against the Washington Wizards at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons won 113-102. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

The Billups for Iverson trade

Nuggets Receive: Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb

Pistons Receive: Allen Iverson

(2008)

The trade that brought hometown hero Chauncey Billups back to Denver at the start of the 2008/09 season was a catalyst in what was arguably the franchises most successful season ever.

The Nuggets were coming off a 50-32 record the previous season, however only managed to secure the 8th seed in an ultra competitive Western Conference. Denver was swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Lakers, marking the 5th straight time they had been eliminated in the first round.

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If the Nuggets were to take the next step, something had to change. Then GM Mark Warkentien pulled the trigger on a deal that sent out future Hall-of-Famer Allen Iverson in exchange for Chauncey Billups. The result of the trade was a trip to the Western Conference Finals and the Executive of the Year award for Warkentien.

Billups, who had led Detroit to a staggering six straight Eastern Conference Finals, had an immediate impact in his hometown, changing the culture and making the squad believe they were capable of winning.

Billups averaged 17.9 points and 6.4 assists per game on 42% shooting overall, including 41% from downtown. He was subsequently named to the Western Conference All-Star team and made the All-NBA third team along with teammate Carmelo Anthony.

Denver finished the season with a 54-28 record, good for 2nd in the West. Billups set the tone in the very first game of the playoffs. He exploded for a career high 8 three pointers en route to a 36 point, 8 assist performance in game one against New Orleans.

Denver went on to secure their first playoff series win since 1995, and made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals, eventually losing to the L.A. Lakers in six games.

The trade was made to look even more masterful due to the fact Allen Iverson struggled to find form in Detroit, playing just 54 games for the Pistons before leaving for Memphis.

Billups meanwhile, turned the Nuggets from a good team into a genuine championship contender during his last tenure in the Mile High.

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