Reports have surfaced that Billups will retire if he is waived by the Knicks, according to his agent, Andy Miller.
The Knicks are expected to cut Billups to free up salary cap space to sign Tyson Chandler, one of the biggest free agent names in this year's class. Chandler helped the Mavericks to their first ever NBA Championship last season and was looking to team up with Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire.
Billups is scheduled to make $14.2 million this season and the Knicks are expected to use their one-time amnesty clause to free up cap space. If released, Billups would go to the waiver wire, once released.
Billups' agent said of Billups, "But I wouldn't be surprised if Chauncey retired rather than play for a team he wouldn't want to play for. He doesn't need the money, his kids are getting to an age where he wants to be an active participant, and he doesn't need the frustration and instability he's constantly dealing with. So he may choose not to play."
"Chauncey's pissed off, but he's not pissed at the Knicks," Miller continued. "He understands it's a business and they have to do what they have to do."
"But he's in a very frustrated state of mind because this has happened to him twice now," he said. "The way the league is structured, if you're a hot name and teams have interest in you, you have the ability to manufacture mass hysteria, and guys like Chauncey who put in years of high-level leadership, production, and service get lost."
Miller said that his client brought up the retirement after it was reported that the Knicks were virtually close to signing Chandler.
In order for the Knicks to sign Chandler, the 14-year veteran would need to be released.
According to multiple reports, Billups may not be the only player to be released to make room for Chandler. Sources have told ESPN's Ric Bucher that the Knicks have been offering forward Ronny Turiaf and $3 million to multiple teams across the league to free up more cap space.
Billups' agent has stated that there are quite a few teams that are interested in the former All-Star, but nothing has come into fruition.
Miller would continue to tell reporters that "it's been a very trying time for Chauncey."
"He enjoyed the city life in New York and had no gripes about his time there. But if he's picked up in a situation he doesn't want, maybe he retires, or he retires for one year, I don't know," Miller said. "If he can't choose his destiny and he's only there for 66 games, I think he'd much rather stay at home until the season is over."
There are quite a few teams in the market for a point guard and if Billups decides not to retire, it is almost undoubtedly certain that the 35-year-old will land somewhere else.
Such teams that could express interest in Billups include Sacramento, Toronto, New Orleans, Cleveland, Memphis, Minnesota, Utah, Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami and Detroit.
Billups won a championship with the Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals. The team is considered to be one of the best defensive teams in NBA history that also featured Rasheed Wallace, Tayshaun Prince, Ben Wallace, Richard Hamiltion, among others.
Billups has career numbers of 15.5 points, 5.6 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game. He also has a lifetime shooting percentage of 41.7 percent.
The former All-Star has also played for Boston, Toronto, Denver, Minnesota, Detroit, and New York.
