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What to expect if Cavs hire Chauncey Billups

By Quenton S. Albertie

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 could be a great hire for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The NBA world was treated to a whirlwind of news yesterday. Paul George and Jimmy Butler reported as trade targets for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who decided to jump into the fray with Kevin Love, Iman Shumpert and Channing Frye as trade assets and need a third team to get a deal done. In the midst of this, Cavs general manager David Griffin and owner Dan Gilbert agreed to part ways with less than two weeks remaining on his contract citing a difference in vision. Assistant general manager and vice president of basketball operations Koby Altman has continued to work on a Butler trade but he may not retain the position for long with ESPN analyst and retired NBA player Chauncey Billups meeting with Gilbert tomorrow.

Billups is being targeted as the Cavs president of basketball operations and Justin Zanik, and assistant general manager for the Utah Jazz from 2013-2016 and Milwaukee Bucks last season, is expected to be on the Cavs’ shortlist for the general manager position per ESPN’s Marc Stein.

Zanik was vice president of a Priority Sports and entertainment for four years before becoming an agent for ASM Sports for another years, so besides the success he’s had with the Jazz and Bucks, he has a relationship with a lot of current and former players. Bob Myers, the general manager for the Golden State Warriors, was also a sports agent before becoming a front office executive. Zanik has the potential to be a strong hire.

While everyone is in shock about the move, considering how long it was taking to get a new deal done and Gilbert’s history of not re-signing general managers, they shouldn’t be. Griffin, for that matter, never said he wasn’t interested in front office vacancies he was being linked to.

As far as the differences in their vision, one such difference is that Griffin was uninterested in trading for New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony.

Billups isn’t opposed to the idea.

Anthony, a ten-time All-Star who was once a valued commodity when he was teammates with Billups on the Denver Nuggets, has seen his reputation take a hit since being traded to the New York Knicks. His scoring has dipped later in his career as he takes less field goals but he’s been painted with the “iso-scorer” brush. With the sudden affinity NBA fans have for players who focus on moving the ball, the Knicks’ failures on the court and Anthony’s dips in scoring, he’s become a target of unwarranted criticism. This is especially true considering the correlation between the declines in his efficiency and the quality of his teams.

Billups, may decide to chase Butler or George but both come with risks as the Boston Celtics have a better trade package to offer and the Paul George has intentions to play in Los Angeles.

To that point, with James rumored to be interested in going to Los Angeles as well, Billups may decide to be bold.

Basketball insider Sam Amico reports that Griffin was also unwilling to trade Kyrie Irving.

It’s possible that Billups, who thrived on a Detroit Pistons team with great chemistry, could trade Irving for Chris Paul in a sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Clippers as well as trade Love for Anthony. That would bring three-fourths of the Banana Boat to Cleveland and maybe give James enough incentive to stay since the team he’d want to form in L.A. would already be assembled in the Land.

A team that could run through the Eastern Conference playoffs but have plenty of tough outs in the West.

Despite the narrative, Gilbert wants James to stay; James is the most important player in the league and a cash cow for Gilbert with the crowds he draws, the national attention he gets and the merchandise he sells to his rabid fanbase. Cleveland also wants to host an All-Star Game and that’s a lot easier to do with James in-town.

No, Gilbert and James aren’t friends. Yes, James may leave one way or the other in part because of his disdain for Gilbert.

Yet, Gilbert bringing in a player who can help piece together the team from a player’s perspective isn’t a bad idea.

Especially a 17-year NBA veteran, five-time All-Star and NBA champion like Billups who is an intelligent, articulate leader with a cool and calm demeanor. Especially when Billups’ best friend is Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue.

Lue, who has shown an extraordinary amount of promise as head coach and has the support of James. With more fitting personnel, the Cavs may get to see the two-way team Lue was expected to turn the Cavs into when he was hired.

In addition, Billups may be able to give Lue insight and input that Lue will respect given the former’s basketball IQ and the duo’s friendship.

Trade speculation will be interesting to follow and Love will likely get traded for an All-Star caliber small forward but the fan base has nothing to fear with a Billups hire.

Billups will put together a strong team both in the front office and on the court.

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