Report: Dan Gilbert low-balled Chauncey Billups in offer to run Cavs

Former Pistons star Billups turned down offer this week

Chauncey Billups

DETROIT – It seemed like a done deal: Former Pistons star Chauncey Billups would end up running the Cleveland Cavaliers.

But alas, it didn't happen. Billups walked away from the deal, and now there may be an answer as to why.

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ESPN reports the Cavs made an offer to Billups but it was below market salary.

According to sources, the team's initial offer was $1.5 million. League sources told ESPN that $4 million is typically the starting point of what an individual in that role should earn. Sources maintain financial compensation wasn't the only factor as to why the 40-year-old Billups turned down the job on Monday after weeks of deliberation, but it played a part.

Cavs owner Dan Gilbert parted ways with David Griffin last month, who helped the team win the 2016 NBA title.

Billups told The Undefeated that he did not consult with LeBron James nor did James' future in Cleveland factor into his decision.

"First and foremost, my family was 100 percent behind me taking the job," he said. "It didn't come down to that at all. At the end of the day, after carefully looking at the entire situation, I just felt it wasn't the time. It's that simple. I've got a ton of respect for Dan and the Cavs organization. But now just wasn't the time."

"These kinds of decisions go down to a gut thing and my spirit. It just wasn't time."

"My desire is to be in the front office at some point," Billups told The Undefeated. "I want the opportunity to build something special and to enjoy building it. That is something that would be very exciting to do, to build something desirable and sustainable."

 


About the Author:

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.