Cleveland Cavaliers: If Chauncey Billups declines the offer then what?

The Cleveland Cavaliers are waiting for former point guard Chauncey Billups to make a decision. If he chooses to pass on running Cleveland, there’s not much to work with in terms of other options.

Recently, the Cleveland Cavaliers offered a five-year deal to Chauncey Billups to become their president of basketball operations. The expected answer was supposed to be known by last Friday, but that did not happen.

As everyone waits for Billups to make a decision, the question has to be asked: “If he says no, then what”? Before I get to that, should Billups decline and stay at ESPN, this would be a move that owner Dan Gilbert would not be able to live down.

It is known that he does not value the general manager position. Former general manager David Griffin was on his way to being president, but Gilbert had other ideas. The Detroit, Michigan ties are obvious and Billups is a solid analyst who understands more than one may assume for such a role.

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Yet, the ironic and frustrating thing is that by offering Billups Griffin’s would have been job, Gilbert is essentially going all in on the former NBA player. Certainly moving on from Griffin was bold, but not interviewing others to replace him was even bolder.

Other potential options to take over Cleveland’s front office may share some of the same feelings in regards to how Gilbert oversees the team. That is why if Billups were to bypass Cleveland, the alternative would be hiring from within.

Assistant general manager Koby Altman and Canton Charge general manager Mike Gansey would likely be strongly considered. Both would be good options if Cleveland was a rebuilding team and not one that just played in the NBA Finals.

That is not a knock to either of those people, but neither are Griffin. Cleveland needs an established executive to keep the Cavaliers relevant. In addition, that person would need to remove any and all speculation that major rebuilding and ongoing drama of what could happen by making sound and logical decisions to improve the roster.

Outside of those two executives, who Gilbert goes to replace Griffin is anyone’s guess. It is time for Gilbert and eventually/possibly Billups to show that the course can still be on track. With one exception: Not giving up an arm and a leg (multiple pieces to the Cavs’ core) in return for an impactful player.

Next: Why is Billups' decision taking so long?

It won’t be long before we know what Billups decides to do. Stay tuned.

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