Los Angeles - Having failed to fire on all cylinders recently, the Detroit Pistons were looking to make a change. Now they're hoping Allen Iverson is what can take them back the NBA Finals for the first time since 2005.

The Pistons acquired Iverson on Monday from the Denver Nuggets, in exchange for former NBA Finals MVP Chauncey Billups, veteran forward Antonio McDyess and rookie centre Cheikh Samb, in the first blockbuster trade of the young season.

The Pistons pick up a dynamic scorer and unselfish leader in Iverson, who owns the third-highest scoring average of all times (27.7) behind Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain. He is also a former league MVP, a nine-time All-Star and a former Rookie of the Year during his 11 /2 years in the NBA.

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

The Pistons nearly had Iverson in 2000 in a huge four-team deal that involved several big names, but Matt Geiger refused to waive his trade kicker and the deal was dashed. Iverson went on to win MVP and lead the 76ers to the NBA Finals.

Iverson is scheduled to take a physical on Tuesday in Detroit, attend a news conference and head to Toronto where he's expected to play against the Raptors on Wednesday night. His home debut at the Palace would be Sunday against the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics.

Nuggets coach George Karl had nothing but praise for Iverson, who helped the Nuggets to two post-season appearances after coming over from Philadelphia in December 2006

"I want to thank A.I, Allen Iverson was a joy to coach," Karl said. "When we acquired him, there were all these nightmares and stories about how difficult he was, and he never was difficult for me."

At the same time, Karl is delighted to get the opportunity to coach Billups, a three-time All-Star selection, nicknamed Mr Big Shot for his cool demeanor in taking the clutch shots down the stretch.

"We fortunately fall into a guy that's an All-Star calibre point guard," Karl said. "The connection with Denver and Colorado is fun to be a part of and enthusiastic to our owners."

Billups returns home, where he caught the eyes of the scouts while a prep and college star before being drafted as the number 3 overall pick by Boston in 1997. He bounced around the league with four clubs in as many years before finding a home in the Pistons' backcourt.

During his six seasons as one of their leaders, Billups took the Pistons to six consecutive Eastern Conference finals (2003-08) and NBA Finals appearances in 2004 and 2005. He was named NBA Finals Most Valuable Player during the Championship series in 2004 when he averaged 21.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists in five games over the LA Lakers.

In 760 career NBA games, Billups owns averages of 14.8 points, 5.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds.

"From Chauncey's point of view, it's kind of a mixed bag of feelings," said Andy Miller, who represents both Billups and McDyess. "He feels very good about what he's done in Detroit, the legacy he has left. And coming back home to Denver, it's sort of like coming full circle for him."

Like Billus, McDyess has been a fan favourite since coming to the Pistons four seasons ago following several knee operations. Upon hearing of the trade, he pondered retirement, but the 34-year-old, who was with the Nuggets on two separate occasions, had a change of heart and will report to the club.

During his career, McDyess has averaged 13.4 points and 7.7 rebounds.

The Nuggets also picked up 2.18-metre Samb, who played just four games for the Pistons last season. He spent most of his time in the NBA Development League, where he led the league with four blocks a game.