I want to start this campaign.
I want Chauncey Billups on the Philadelphia 76ers. Hear me out.
Detroit Pistons GM Joe Dumars said significant change was his desire and that “everybody’s in play. There are no sacred cows here.” Alright, so if everybody’s in play that includes 2004 NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups. And there are two huge reasons why Joe Dumars would want to trade Chauncey.
The first reason is Rodney Stuckey. Stuckey, 22, was an absolute steal in the 2007 NBA draft as the 15th overall pick. The 6-5 guard out of Eastern Washington played a big role off the Piston’s bench in the 2008 playoffs averaging 8.2 points and 3.4 assists. Stuckey will be ready to start in the NBA very soon and he easily could fall into Chauncey’s role, playing alongside Rip.
The second is Chauncey’s contract. Chauncey is scheduled to make $11,050,000 in 08/09, $12,100,000 in 09/10, $13,150,000 in 10/11, and a team option $14,200,000 in 11/12. If Dumars is serious at all in ‘making changes’ these are the contracts he should want to ship out in exchange for expiring contracts to free up cap space. And when you have a player like Rodney Stuckey waiting in the wings, why not trade Billups and his contract?
Okay, but why would the Sixers want Chauncey Billups? The Sixers inked the best free agent on the market the other day in Elton Brand. They seem to have all the pieces, except a shooter. Chauncey Billups is nicknamed “Big Shot” for a reason. He hits clutch shots and can fire away from three-point land (Billups shot over 40% beyond the arch last year). He can stretch the defense and force the defenders to play him on the outside.
Therefore, why don’t the 76ers send Andre Miller’s expiring contract ($9,999,999) to Detroit in exchange for Chauncey Billups? Don’t get me wrong, I love Andre Miller’s game, but Chauncey can bring the 76ers a similar game with the capability of hitting the outside shot. Andre does not have the range of a Chauncey Billups. Remember, this is the 2004 NBA Finals MVP.
To me it makes sense for both teams. Detroit trades Chauncey to the Sixers for Andre Miller. $12.1 million comes off the books for Detroit next year. Rodney Stuckey still has the veteran mentor in Andre Miller that he needs as he progresses into an NBA starter. The Sixers get their outside threat that can stretch the defense. The contracts match up within $1.5 million (throw in Jason Smith or a trade exception). Andre is 32. Chauncey is 31.
It’s something to think about, so forward this along to Joe Dumars or Ed Stefanski if you know their email.
