NBA rumors: Could Chauncey Billups move directly into coaching?

Chauncey Billups has long been considered to have a future in the NBA beyond retirement, whether it's in the front office or on the sideline. But might that future come sooner than we think? This is admittedly more speculation than an actual rumor, but Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Cleveland Plain Dealer included Billups on a list of potential head coaching candidates for the Cavaliers:

"Cavs owner Dan Gilbert loves Billups, and with Jason Kidd having success in his first season as a coach after retiring as a point guard, there could be some consideration for Billups, who hasn't yet retired," she writes. "But sources in Detroit say Billups always has wanted to become a general manager, not a coach.

Could it happen? I suppose anything is possible. But in the meantime there's that one pesky detail about Billups still having one year left on his contract with the Detroit Pistons. It's not yet clear if he intends to return or retire -- he'll be 38 years old by the time the season starts, and he hasn't appeared in more than 22 games in a season since the 2010-11 season -- but the Cavs would need to seek permission from the Pistons before even attempting to go down that road.

If I had to make a guess, I think Billups will stay with the Pistons for at least another year -- either as a player or in some other capacity -- and learn the front office ropes from whatever general manager Stan Van Gundy ends up hiring. What do you think?

(hat-tip: Joe Dexter at Pistons Palace)