Rumor: Chauncey Billups could sign with Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers have met with free agent point guard Chauncey Billups about joining LeBron James and company, according to Waiting For Next Year.

After battling a spate of injuries in recent years, the conventional wisdom was that Billups would call it a career after 17 years that saw him make multiple all-star teams, a championship and be named NBA Finals MVP. Billups had his best years as a member of the Detroit Pistons, and he re-signed with his former team last year after two injury-plagued years with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Billups signed a two-year deal, but after again falling to injury and being limited to 19 games, the Pistons decided not to pick up their option on the second year of Billups' contract. Billups has been limited to 61 games the past three seasons due to various injuries.

Now, however, it seems that Billups is  ready to delay retirement at least one more year in his quest for a second championship ring, and if he joined the Cavs he'd have a decent shot at going back to the NBA Finals for the third time.

The Cavaliers have also been in contact with veteran Shawn Marion as it looks to build a championship contender around LeBron James. The Cavs currently have 16 players under contract, according to WFNY, but if the long-rumored trade for Kevin Love goes through they will likely be sending out several players and will need to fill those holes with veterans on minimum deals.

At the meeting were Billups, assistant coach Tyronn Lue, head coach David Blatt and general manager David Griffin, according to WFNY.

While no deal appears imminent, Billups, who has a big fan in Cavs owner and Detroit native Dan Gilbert, might be a plan B in case veteran sharpshooter and James friend Ray Allen opts to retire instead of return for a 19th year. Either Allen or Billups would most likely be asked to do little more than be ready, willing and able to knock down open shots from the perimeter as the offense would largely flow through James and, presumably, Love.

For his career, Billups is a career 38 percent 3-point shooter.