In this trade, the Nuggets essentially exchanged Camby’s salary space for a quasi-star forward who can shoot threes and swing on the wing.
This undoubtedly greatly strengthened their frontline.
anwhile, the Hawks also felt they benefited imnsely.
Having known in advance that Harrington was determined to leave, they successfully acquired a brush-style center, who in the 05/06 season had second-highest average blocks, only behind Qin Yue.
Next, to strengthen the guard line, the Nuggets, as Qin Yue rembered, plundered the New Orleans Hornets.
They brought back the infamous "wild card" JR Smith from New Orleans using Howard Eisley and two second-round draft picks in 2007 (one from another team).
Previously, when learning that the Hornets intended to trade Smith, Warriors’ general manager Mulin also asked for a price.
But in the end, the genius-like Hornets uniform group was only interested in the Nuggets’ offer, reasoning that...
They fancied Eisley’s about $6 million expiring contract.
Unfortunately, this was an offer the Warriors could not match.
Since Mulin took office, under his ticulous governance... where could the Warriors find such a high-salary $6 million expiring contract?
The Hornets were willing to make the trade under Mulin’s agreent to send out Murphy.
But Murphy’s high tower attribute was the key to the Warriors’ high post pick-and-roll tactics.
Moreover, Murphy now has a "Lambere II" aura, so Mulin absolutely could not agree to the Hornets uniform group’s outrageous demands.
After bringing back two generals for the Nuggets, the lobbying team led by George Karl successfully persuaded Chauncey Billups, who was born in Denver.
Due to not leading the team into the playoffs last season, Karl was feeling anxious.
Originally, to strengthen the Number One position, the Nuggets were going to trade with the Philadelphia 76ers in December this year to bring back four-ti league scoring champion Allen Iverson and bring him to Denver for Anthony’s assistance.
Now, how could Karl wait for Iverson and the 76ers managent to completely fall apart?
Karl’s personality is always known for being rough and wild.
Just such a coach... on the matter of the Nuggets needing reinforcent, he was destined to be even more impatient than Anthony.
Although Billups was persuaded by the Nuggets lobbying team led by Karl, the Pistons did not agree to the Nuggets’ proposed trade plan.
Unless...
"Ben (Wallace) has always desired a max contract, but due to financial pressure, we have been unable to et his demands. If you are willing to sign and trade with us and compensate us with draft picks, we will strive to make this deal happen."
As a four-ti All-Star player and a three-ti league Defensive Player of the Year, Wallace would have accepted the 4-year $60 million offer from the Chicago Bulls in the sumr of 2006.
Because upon signing the contract, Wallace would turn 32 years old in two more months, plenty of expert opinions at the ti considered this a likely bad contract in the future.
The Nuggets uniform group’s opinion was generally consistent with these experts.
But given the Pistons’ managent remained tight-lipped, coupled with the pressure from Karl and Anthony duo, the Nuggets reluctantly agreed to this trade.
According to the agreent between the Pistons and the Nuggets, the Pistons would send Ben Wallace and forr Finals MVP Chauncey Billups via sign-and-trade in exchange for Andre Miller, Joe Smith, Eduardo Najera, Wash Leonard, and the Nuggets’ future two first-round draft picks.
To complete this trade, the Nuggets even paid a higher price than when they acquired Iverson as Qin Yue rembered.
Wash Leonard, the three-ti three-point contest winner sent by the Nuggets in this trade, was already considering retirent. After the trade completion, if the Pistons cut him according to the "Allan Houston clause," his salary wouldn’t count against the Pistons’ salary cap.
NBA’s initial "Karen Mok" Miller was only put on the shelf by the Nuggets because his style didn’t suit Karl.
As a point guard capable of low-post backing and adept at organizing, Miller’s current trade value was undoubtedly underestimated.
But after completing this trade, the overall strength of the Nuggets indeed had a qualitative change.
Even if they paid more chips and took on Ben Wallace’s potentially dismal contract.
Because not only is Billups more suitable for Karl’s system, but...
Billups, currently extrely eager to play for his hotown team, is also a point guard capable of making Anthony behave and enabling him to play confidently on the court.
With Smith and Harrington’s arrival, Karl’s tactics for the new season will undoubtedly be clearer... the Nuggets have, in fact, joined the upcoming chaos in the West.
As for the Pistons?
While doing a favor for their ritorious player Ben Wallace, they also obtained Miller, a cost-effective point guard, freed up salary space, and received the two draft picks from the Nuggets.
After this trade, the Pistons remain an Eastern Conference powerhouse.
As for how their competitiveness will decrease because of Billups’ departure, it all depends on Miller’s ability to fit into their tactical system.
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