Looks like Chauncey has started to talk about his future after this season as an article appeared on a Memphis website. I've always been skeptical about Billups loyalties versus 'gettin paid' and I think the only way this guy doesn't leave is if he gets a max deal. He doesn't even seem to be concerned about going to the worst team in basketball.

[Memphis Commercial Appeal]
Memphis Commercial Appeal - Memphis' Source for News and Information: Grizzlies

I think CBill drops tidbits in the Denver press now and again as well. I haven't been very diligent about posting them because it seemed premature to initiate this discussion so early.

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Nov 13 LW Milan Lucic had an active night. He scored his first goal in eight games since his Oct. 25 hat trick and also pounded Michael Komisarek in a third-period fight. Lucic cut his hand in a fight with Michael Komisarek. "I'll be fine," he said. "(X-rays are) negative, but there's so many broken bones in there from before you can't really tell."

To be clear, I do not think this discussion is premature now. This is the biggest question facing the team this offseason.

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Nov 13 LW Milan Lucic had an active night. He scored his first goal in eight games since his Oct. 25 hat trick and also pounded Michael Komisarek in a third-period fight. Lucic cut his hand in a fight with Michael Komisarek. "I'll be fine," he said. "(X-rays are) negative, but there's so many broken bones in there from before you can't really tell."

He's not worth maximum dollars. At his best, he's really, really good, but his energy is only going to decline going forward, and he was never a fiery character to begin with. Sometimes that's an asset (e.g. shooting freethrows late in games), but often I wish he had a little more Isiah in him.

Having said that, we'll be much worse without CB. I don't want him signed for the price I think he'll be looking for, but I know that the offense will have a much harder time of it if he's not here.

C-Bill is bargaining.

Loyalty.

Man that went out with Bebop, notwithstanding its influence on Rap.

Ferengi rule of acquisition:

21. Never place friendship above profit.
106. There is no honour in poverty
214. Never begin a negotiation on an empty stomach.

I would love to be the fly on the wall during these negotiations.

Here is a link to an interview with Mr. D in todays FREEP entitled:

Bill Davidson's a no-nonsense owner

Bill Davidson's a no-nonsense owner

Let me get this right:

A) Score 30+ a night on a team that wins 30-35 games = Worth Max Contract

B) Best the best players on a Championship team = Not Worth Max Contract

...Sounds right to me...

I don't see the Pistons offering CB more than $13.5M for 4 years...any more than that would be out of character for BillD.

CB hasn't had the greatest of contract years either, so I don't know how much he will get on the open market. His key stats are all down from last year: -1 PPG, -1 APG, and his 3PT% this year is among the lowest in his career.

NBA.com : Chauncey Billups Info Page

Looking at the trend line, his stats seem to have peaked last year and are headed down.

That said, I'd like to keep CB and draft a decent PG with the Orlando pick for him to mentor for 3 years...then trade his expiring contact in year 4. But that's in my perfect world

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This is close to my utopia. The amount per year and lenght of contract will be increased by someone. This is the reality factor. He will be following in Ben's footsteps.

Look for a S/T.

I said it here first. Chauncey to Denver in a sign and trade for Iverson. The hand writing is on the wall.