Former Piston Chauncey Billups signs one-year deal with Clippers

It was unlikely from the beginning but some Detroit Pistons fans were hoping beyond reason and logic that the Pistons would bring back Chauncey Billups -- one of the the franchise's most beloved players.

Well, he's off the market. Billups has reportedly agreed to an incentive-laden one-year deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. The deal could be worth as much as $4.3 million, according to Broderick Turner. Billups is coming off of an ACL injury and is expected back in December.

The Clippers also apparently signed former Michigan Wolverine and renowned gunner Jamal Crawford. Crawford got a three-year, $15.7 million deal.

Because of age, the fact that he was coming off of an injury, because he had his best years in Detroit and with the Pistons obvious need for a backup, experienced point guard it wasn't completely out of the realm of possibility that Billups could come back to Motown. But in the end Billups is not going to spend the waning years of his career doing anything but chasing another ring. It's completely understandable.

Other news from around the NBA:

Michael Beasley, thank God, will not be heading to Detroit. Instead he is getting $18 million for three years in Phoenix.

Steve Nash is going to the Lakers following a sign-and-trade deal with Phoenix that will bring the Suns get two first-rounders and two second-rounders.

To replace Nash, the Suns are not relying on recent draft pick Kendall Marshall but instead bringing back Goran Dragic, who Phoenix signed to a $34 million deal.

The Houston Rockets are buying some Linsanity to the tune of $30 million.

The Dallas Mavericks, who lost out on Deron Williams and Steve Nash, are bringing back Jason Kidd.

The Raptors, who also lost out on Nash, have reached an agreement with the Rockets to trade Kyle Lowry for a conditional first-round draft pick.

Jameer Nelson staying with Magic.

Spencer Hawes staying with Sixers.