Carmello To Pistons A Done Deal?

This may be a stretch, but here’s why I think the Nuggets-Pistons trade involving Carmello Anthony, Chauncey Billups and Tayshaun Prince is already in the works.

Chauncey just withdrew his name from the Olympics, citing a need to put his family first.  He was quoted as saying that he was confident he had made the team, but didn’t want to take a spot if he couldn’t fully commit.  Billups told ESPN that he was worried his “family situation” might distract him from the team.

I haven’t seen anyone else spin it this way, but to me, this signals that Billups being shipped to Denver along with Prince for Anthony has already been agreed upon behind closed doors.  Because Billups and Anthony are base year contract players, they can’t be traded until July 1st, when they lose that designation.  So until then, it’s just a waiting game for something to officially go through and be announced.  But that doesn’t mean that Joe D hasn’t already been working this deal and told Chauncey that it is probable to go through.

A “family situation” could certainly mean that Billups has to look for a new house in Denver for his family in time for his three daughters to go to school in the fall.  A move from Detroit to Denver definitely warrants a “family situation” that would distract Chauncey if he was overseas playing on the Olympic team.  After another long grind in the playoffs, and a new environment on the horizon, it’s no wonder Billups would want to stay home with his family and sort all of this out.

Now, with all due respect to Chauncey, we’re dealing with a family issue here, and it could be something quite different.  If that is the case, I hope he is able to work through it and everything is OK.