The Cavs top job is Chauncey Billups’ if he wants it

According to reports, the Cleveland Cavaliers have offered former Detroit Pistons’ star Chauncey Billups control of their front office.

Late Wednesday night it was announced that former Detroit Pistons star and NBA champion Chauncey Billups had a job waiting for him with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs have offered Billups a five-year deal to run their front office after dismissing previous general manager David Griffin in the middle of constructing a trade for Chicago Bulls star Jimmy Butler.

According to The Athletic’s Jason Lloyd, Billups has yet to respond to the offer.

In the 13 years Dan Gilbert has owned the Cleveland Cavaliers, he’s never kept a general manager or president of basketball operations around after their first contract. David Griffin’s contract was nearly allowed to expire before he and Gilbert found that it was time to part mutually (a term used generously here).

Chauncey Billups is a smart guy. He’s aware that working for Gilbert will be challenging, long-term contract notwithstanding. He’s also aware that leading the front office of a team with LeBron James can be thankless, and a no-win scenario. Looking back at Griffin’s tenure, he was smart and savvy and made the most of his resources while keeping Gilbert out of LeBron’s way, but he never got the credit due him. Billups will be no different, and it won’t be any easier as a first-time executive.

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I’ve always thought that Chauncey Billups is a man born to succeed, the kind of guy who can do anything he sets his mind to, and do it with excellence. No doubt he’ll make the most of this job if he chooses to take it, but it’s a shame that this looks like it’s going to be his first shot at such a job.