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The importance of hiring Chauncey Billups

By Kyle Jones

Feb 10, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Retired professional basketball player Chauncey Billups smiles at Isiah Thomas as he walks onto the court during halftime in the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Nuggets win 103-92. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Retired professional basketball player Chauncey Billups smiles at Isiah Thomas as he walks onto the court during halftime in the game between the Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Nuggets win 103-92. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chauncey Billups will be the man tasked with keeping LeBron James and Kyrie Irving on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Last week, the Cleveland Cavaliers former and beloved general manager, David Griffin, has parted ways with the franchise. LeBron James, heavy-hearted, shared his appreciation for Griffin on social media by tweeting the following:

Many believe that filling the void of the general manager is the Cavs top priority. However, if hired, Chauncey Billups is unlikely to serve as general manager. According to The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd, they’re looking into making Billups the president of basketball operations.

While Billups will be serving his first term in either position, a role as president will make Mr. Big Shot a better asset to the franchise.

Assuming Billups does accept the Cavs offer, he’ll have to come into the office and immediately get to work and make alterations to the team that fit his vision. This situation is similar to the Los Angeles Lakers’, in which president of basketball operations Magic Johnson had to come in and make changes for the better. After selecting Lonzo Ball as the next face of the franchise, readying the roster for both the future and preparing for the arrival of Paul George, Magic seems to be doing quite well for himself.

There’s a lot of controversy over whether or not Billups will be able to perform up to everyone’s expectations. Chances are that he will, but many, including USA Today’s Sam Amick, have noted that Billups has concerns about James’ future in Cleveland.

There would still be other stars on the roster such as Kyrie Irving, and notable players, like J.R. Smith, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson. However, if James takes his talents elsewhere, Irving may look for a trade according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.

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This tricky situation is where Billups comes into play and his importance to the Cavs organization could shine; Billups will have the chance to show that he can not only persuade James to stay a Cavalier but also bring back key players and have them develop over time. Hopefully, Billups intelligence, persona, insight and vision are enough to persuade James to stay.

Irving and company will take over as the new faces for Cleveland when LeBron retires and possibly before he retires. This is a possibility Billups has to have considered and that’s why if the idea of James leaving was so daunting, it’s unlikely that the ownership would offer him a five-year deal.

Nonetheless, for Irving to emerge as the face of the franchise, James not only has to want to stay in Cleveland but he also has to be able to trust and believe in his teammates.

Keeping James in Cleveland could be the most important task the Cavs have had since LeBron’s first free agency. Everything is seemingly in the hands of whoever takes over the Cleveland Cavaliers front office and, right now, it seems as if that person is Billups.

Related Story: Chauncey Billups excited about opportunity to lead Cavs

What will Mr. Big Shot do?