MINNEAPOLIS, June 25 (UPI) -- Veteran guard Chauncey Billups of the Minnesota Timberwolves has opted out of the final season of his three-year deal and will become a free agent on July 1.
Since coming to the NBA, Billups had been more of a shooting guard, but had to play the point last season when the T'Wolves lost Terrell Brandon to a serious knee injury. He responded with one of the best years of his career, averaging 12.5 points, 5.5 assists and 28.7 minutes, and recording his first career triple-double.
He was one of only four players on the Minnesota roster to play in all 82 regular-season games last season.
Billups' agent, Andy Miller, told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that his client has reached a point in his career that he needs to see what he's worth on the open market.
"He loves Minnesota,'' Miller said. "Kevin Garnett is his best friend. They're like brothers. Chauncey would like to stay in Minnesota if it is possible, but he has reached a point in his career when, at the ripe old age of 26, he has realized his vision: He wants to play 30-plus minutes a game and be a starting point guard on a team that is competing not only for the playoffs, but at some point competing for a championship. Whether that can happen in Minnesota, no one knows at this stage."
What may have influenced his decision is the fact that the powers-that-be in the team's front office have made it clear that, if Brandon can return, he will be the starting point guard and likely will play at least 30 minutes per game. That decision will not be made until Aug. 15 at the earliest.
By that time, Billups likely will be under contract elsewhere.
Minnesota Vice President Kevin McHale said he understood Billups' decision.
"Chauncey is looking for the opportunity to play," McHale told the paper. "If Terrell is back, we expect him to be fully healthy and play 30 minutes a night. That leaves only 18 minutes for his backup. If he's playing really well and playing 32, 34 minutes, that leaves only 14, 16 minutes for his backup. We'd like to have Chauncey back on our team, but he has got to take a look at a lot of things, and we've got to take a look at a lot of things."
The paper also reported that Will Avery, whose three-year NBA career has been a disaster since he left Duke early, is not expected to re-sign.
