When last we saw Chauncey Billups, the veteran point guard was playing sparingly for the Detroit Pistons last season. Which is what he did for the Clippers for a couple seasons before that. In Los Angeles he was sort of an additional assistant coach, someone who could guide a then growing Clippers team into playing the right way.
But on the court he’s never been the same since blowing out his Achilles tendon. Billups worked hard to get back on the court, but he lost some explosiveness and could only make up for so much of that with his hoops IQ.
Cleveland might be able to use a guy to play a few minutes and be provide a lot of veteran stability in the locker room, and they might pick up Billups reports Jared Zwerling of Bleacher Report.
Keep hearing Chauncey Billups is a serious candidate for Cleveland. He's been close for years with Tyronn Lue. CB has options in media, too.
— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) August 14, 2014
Regarding Chauncey Billups, a serious candidate to play; not to be an assistant coach. Just to clarify my previous tweet. Thanks.
— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) August 14, 2014
Honestly, the media makes more sense to me — he’s be a fantastic analyst. But based on what I’ve seen and the ball handlers in Cleveland, he’d be an assistant coach by any other name. Billups is a legend of the game — a seven-time All-Star, a Finals MVP, a 17-year-veteran — but father time always wins the race.
Consider this something to watch. Billups may not be ready to walk away.