The Miami Heat already have a strong team as evidenced by their play in Game 2 against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals and next season they could be even stronger, as Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chauncey Billups has expressed his interest in joining the team.
According to Pro Basketball Talk, Billups talked about the possibility of joining the Heat after accepting his NBA Best Teammate award in the first year it was given out. Billups will be an unrestricted free agent after the season and like other veterans who have come and played for the Heat with LeBron James like Mike Miller and Ray Allen, Billups could be next in line as he chases after another ring.
The news was reported by Fox Sports Florida and Billups said that "of course" he would have interest in Miami next season and said that he could help the team after seeing the Game 1 loss against the Spurs. Billips will be an older player at 37 next season, but that doesn't mean he couldn't contribute off the bench behind Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole as a veteran who comes in in spots. It would depend on who is with the team next season and if Miami wants to make a move, Billups would be open for it.
The Heat went after Billups once back in 2011 when he was released after being amnestied, but he instead signed with the Clippers and while the team will likely re-sign him, the point guard is keeping his options open. Billips is set to be a free agent on July 1 and said he was wide open to what will happen in free agency. The point guard dealt with some injuries over the past two seasons, missing 38 games of the first 41 last year after playing in just 20 the previous season.
Last season Billups averaged 8.4 points in 22.0 minutes and said that he is not planning on retiring. He said he would deal with playing for the minimum and he would like to get back into championship mode after playing in the conference finals seven straight times from 2003 to 2009. Billups won his award over the Heat's Shane Battier. LeBron James led Miami with seven assists and was dominant late as the team stormed to a 103-84 victory in Game 2 to tie the finals at 1-1
