King James Gospel
Fansided

Chauncey Billups and Cavs to continue meeting today

By Quenton S. Albertie

Feb 10, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Chauncey Billups (right) shakes hands Isiah Thomas during the halftime retirement ceremony in the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Chauncey Billups (right) shakes hands Isiah Thomas during the halftime retirement ceremony in the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ meeting with Chauncey Billups, a candidate for one of the Cavs’ vacant front office positions, isn’t over yet.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Goodman, the Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert and current ESPN analyst Chauncey Billups will continue to meet about the Cavs vacant front office positions today.

That’s a good sign as continuing a dialogue after lengthy discussions could mean that Billups is fit for Gilbert and the front office. Meeting today could be him edging closer to a deal.

After the announcement was made that Cleveland Cavaliers president of basketball operations and general manager David Griffin would not be returning to the team, Billups was quickly listed as a frontrunner to run the front office as their new president of basketball operations or general manager.

If it’s the former, Billups could look to add an experienced front office executive like Justin Zanik to replace assistant general manager Trent Redden as Cavs assistant general manager Koby Altman gets promoted to the general manager replace Griffin. Zanik could also be general manager while Altman stays in his same position. One or other option would be to hire Billups as general manager and hiring Zanik to work under him.

In any case, while Billups has the potential to be fine general manager, replacing the talented and experienced duo of Griffin and Redden without adding a person with Zanik’s front office experience (four years experience as an assistant general manager), network (Zanik was in the sports agency business for 15 years) and trail of success would be foolhardy.

The Utah Jazz hired head coach Quin Snyder, drafted Rodney Hood and Trey Lyles during Zanik’s tenure. The Milwaukee Bucks drafted Thon Maker and Malcolm Brogdon last season.

With both teams, trades were made that benefitted the team as the Jazz traded Enes Kanter in a deal that gave them the cap space to eventually sign Joe Johnson and they traded for Boris Diaw. The Bucks traded for Matthew Dellavedova and Tony Snell.

Like Altman, while Zanik has been an assistant general manager he’s has shown he has an eye for young talent and knows how to add around a core. With the Cavs’ limited assets and need to plan for life after LeBron, both of these factors matter.

Billups, whose Detroit Pistons team prided itself on having a team full of high basketball IQ players, toughness and execution, would likely be responsible for deciding the Cavs’ big picture moves.

Related Story: What to expect if Cavs hire Chauncey Billups

When he starts (if offered the job of course), Billups will have to decide whether to stay pat and keep the Big 3 together while fixing up the bench or make a splash move that he hopes will keep LeBron James in Cleveland.

The triumvirate of Billups, Zanik and Altman will have as good a chance as any front office has of keeping the Cavs as championship contenders. They also have James and it’s important to keep it that way.

The two go hand-in-hand.

Related Story: LeBron joining the Clippers is a real possibility