Allen Iverson joined Denver in 2006, but the Nuggets still haven't made it past the first round of the playoffs. (Douglas Pikac/Associated Press)

The Detroit Pistons finalized a trade Monday morning for point guard Allen Iverson, sending point guard Chauncey Billups, forward Antonio McDyess and reserve Cheikh Samb to the Denver Nuggets.

Iverson, 34, joined Denver in late 2006 after spending the first 10 seasons of his career with the Philadelphia 76ers.

"We just felt it was the right time to change our team," Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars said. "Iverson gives us a dimension that we haven't had here and we really think it's going to help us.

"It gives us a different way to attack people. We have been extremely successful for a long time, but I also think what comes with that is a little bit of predictability."

Iverson averaged 26.4 points and 7.1 assists with the Nuggets last season, ranking third overall in points scored, fourth in steals and leading the league in minutes played.

"In this league, six or seven years is an eternity to have a core together," Dumars said. "So when a situation like this presents itself, where you can cover yourself on both sides — the immediate impact player and the long-term flexibility — you have to push the button."

Paired with rising star Carmelo Anthony, Iverson and the Nuggets were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year in April.

The franchise hasn't won a playoff series since 1994.

The perennial all-star has led the league in scoring three times in his career.

"I want to thank A.I.," Nuggets head coach George Karl said. "Allen Iverson was a joy to coach.

"When we acquired him, there were all these nightmares and stories about how difficult he was. He never was difficult for me."

McDyess and Billups, who was born in Denver and played collegiate basketball at Colorado, have played previously for the Nuggets.

"The connection with Denver and Colorado is fun to be a part of and enthusiastic to our owners," Karl said.

Since joining Detroit in 2002, Billups has averaged more than 17 points and 11 assists with the Pistons.

The 32-year-old was the most valuable player in the 2004 NBA final, when Detroit beat the Los Angeles Lakers for the league championship.

"As a kid growing up in Denver, I always dreamed of winning a championship with the Nuggets," Billups said. "Hopefully, we can make that dream a reality."

McDyess, 35, joined the Pistons the following year, as the team was beaten in the seventh game of the NBA final against San Antonio. Detroit has not made it back to the final since.

It would be the third stint in Denver for McDyess, 35, who began his NBA career with the Nuggets in 1994.

He has averaged 13.4 points and seven assists in his career, with the last four years spent with the Pistons.

Iverson is in the final year of his contract, making $20.8 million US this season.

Billups is in the second season of a four-year contract worth a guaranteed $46 million US, with a team option for a fifth year at $14 million US.

McDyess was given a two-year contract extension last summer and is scheduled to make a total of over $14 million US before the deal expires.

The Pistons visit the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.

With files from the Associated Press