After another successful year with the Detroit Pistons, Chauncey Billups has opted out of his contract.  This is a huge disappointment to many Pistons fans.  Billups will now be one of the top free agents that people will be going after.  It appears that Billups wants a lot more money than what he was getting (over six million).  Despite this move, Detroit is still expected to make an attempt to re-sign Billups.

    Any team needing a point guard should go after Billups.  While with the Pistons, he made great plays and clutch shots many times.  Billups was their leader and led them to the playoffs and was a pivotal part of their Championship team.  He is also an excellent free throw shooter.  It is a mistake by the Pistons to let him go. 

    Who will step up for the Pistons to take Billups spot?  It will be difficult for whoever does it.  I think that the Pistons will try and use Lindsey Hunter, and definitely will look to draft a good guard. 

    Billups has been reported as saying that he wants to stay in Detroit, and he should, he's got a good situation.  I think that he will try and see what deals he can get from other teams, and see if the Pistons will match.  Joe Dumars said that their top priority this offseason was resigning Billups.  They better.  He's an important part of that team.  They definetly have some money saved because they let Ben Wallace go to Chicago, so I would assume they would use some of that.  One thing's for sure, whatever team picks up Billups just got a veteran leader and will become that much better.  Billups can make the people around him look better.  If it's a young team, look for them to fight for a playoff spot.  If it's a team that's already got some talent and is a playoff team already, look for championship contention.