David Zalubowski / AP

Allen Iverson won't carry the Pistons to a title, NBCSports.com contributor Michael Ventre writes.

Michael Ventre

But as far as the Detroit Pistons are concerned, it’s probably the most positive move they can make.

On Monday, the Pistons pulled off a trade that is guaranteed not to help them win the NBA championship this season. They shipped point guard Chauncey Billups and power forward Antonio McDyess to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for almost-washed-up superstar Allen Iverson.

In doing so, the Pistons signaled that they are giving up on the 2008-09 season. But in their case, that’s fine, because they desperately needed to take steps to remake their roster, and this is a significant and positive one.

Iverson is in the final year of his contract. He will earn $21 million this season. The Pistons will welcome him to the team, then kick him out the door next spring. His expiring contract will give them some salary cap maneuverability.

In the meantime, they can give promising backup point guard Rodney Stuckey more playing time and groom him to become the team’s new floor leader. It won’t be the same as having an experienced hand with cutthroat tendencies such as Billups in charge, but the Pistons had to change the dynamic or else they would forever be the Utah Jazz of the Eastern Conference: a hard-working and respected team that can’t get past the superpowers.

The difference between the Pistons and Jazz, of course, is that Detroit still has the faint taste of an NBA title in its mouth, having won in 2004. But since then, the club has stubbornly insisted on keeping its core intact even as other teams, such as the Celtics, Cavaliers, Magic, Raptors, Hawks and Sixers, are gaining and passing it.

By trading cornerstone Billups and the versatile, valuable but unspectacular McDyess, general manager Joe Dumars has indicated that he isn’t Matt Millen.

Having Iverson in the transaction is that rare instance in sports where a marquee name has little relevance to the actual reason for the deal. Iverson is a 33-year-old guard whose legs have logged lots of mileage over the course of 12 NBA seasons. Older players who play his position, and at his frenetic pace, tend to go quickly. It might even happen this season. Iverson might eventually rival Stephon Marbury, his evil twin (or is it the other way around?) from the 1996 draft, as the highest-paid self-absorbed player to ride the pine.

Where Iverson fits in immediately in Detroit is anyone’s guess. He could take over point guard duties from Billups, and thus the club would leave Richard Hamilton at shooting guard. But Iverson always has been a natural two guard; his inclination is to set the table only for himself. And starting Iverson at the point would keep Stuckey on the bench anyway.

These things evolve as the season progresses. First-year head coach Michael Curry probably will start Iverson at point guard but limit his minutes, then gradually hand more responsibility to Stuckey.

But whatever arrangement they work out, the Pistons — who have lost in the Eastern Conference finals the past three years — are still not in a position to win the NBA championship. As a team, you measure yourself against the best. The Pistons are no better qualified to defend the Celtics’ three-headed monster of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen than they were before this deal. And the Cavaliers added firepower in Mo Williams, which will cause additional problems for the Pistons.

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Not in his house

Rajon Rondo had 18 points, 10 assists and 10 rebounds and the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 85-75 in Game 7 on Saturday night to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.

CSN: Rondo's big-game DNA shines  |  Highlights

CSN: You may not see it from start to finish, but when the game — or in this case, postseason life — is on the line, you see just how good Rajon Rondo can be.

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