Billups huddles with Cavs owner
CLEVELAND — Chauncey Billups once competed against the Cleveland Cavaliers as a player. Now he could be joining them as an executive.
Bill ups met with team owner Dan Gilbert on Wednesday for the second straight day to discuss a front-office position with the Cavs, who are regrouping after losing to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.
Gilbert could be close to offering a job to Billups, according to a source who spoke to Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.
Billups is the first person to meet with Gilbert since he parted ways with general manager David Griffin earlier this week when talks about a possible contract extension broke down.
The 40-year-old Billups is likely weighing whether Cleveland is a good spot for him to begin a new career, given the team’s recent upheaval and that superstar LeBron James will be eligible for free agency after next season.
While the Cavaliers are looking for Griffin’s replacement after he guided them to three straight Finals, it’s believed Billups would take on a different role, perhaps as the team’s director of basketball operations. Trent Redden, who served as senior VP of basketball ops, is also not returning next season.
Billups has no previous experience as an NBA executive, but does have a longstanding relationship with Gilbert from their time together in Detroit and he knows the league well.
Billups, who was a fivetime All-Star, also is close with Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue.
The turmoil in Cleveland’s front office came days before Thursday’s draft and as the Cavs launched plans to retool their roster after being dethroned as champions in five games by the Warriors.
The Cavaliers currently do not own a draft pick, but that could change; the team has been involved in numerous talks in recent days.