DETROIT — The Detroit Pistons worked the phones last summer, trying to trade for a superstar to shake up their roster.

They ended up standing pat because a deal didn't make sense.

Two games into the season, Allen Iverson was the answer to their hopes in a blockbuster that generated rare buzz for the NBA in November.

Detroit acquired the former NBA MVP yesterday for All-Star point guard and former finals MVP Chauncey Billups, top reserve Antonio McDyess and project Cheikh Samb.

"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."

The Pistons have reached six straight Eastern Conference finals — the longest such streak since the Los Angeles Lakers' dominant run in the 1980s — and won the 2004 title without a player expected to be in the Hall of Fame.

Dumars said the Nuggets first contacted him Thursday with a proposal that included Iverson. Dumars, who had become concerned the Pistons were set in their ways, struck a deal at 1:45 yesterday morning.

Iverson may not be around for long — making $20.8 million in the final season of his contract — but he might be what Detroit needs to return to the NBA finals for the first time since 2005.

The Pistons are hoping Iverson will play tomorrow at Toronto and barring injury, his home debut will be Sunday against Boston.