Pistons Deny Report They Are Targeting Chauncey Billups in Front Office Revamp

Rumors surfaced that the Detroit Pistons were interested in bringing back Chauncey Billups to the organization in a front office role. However, the Pistons have denied the reports.

On Tuesday, Marc Stein of the New York Times reported the Pistons are interested in hiring Billups to work alongside vice chairman Arn Tellem in a "totally revamped front office."    

Pistons spokesperson Mark Barnhill called the report "false," per Vince Ellis and Kirkland Crawford of the Detroit Free Press.

Billups addressed the report that he could be in the running for a position with the Pistons' front office. 

“I’m very happy with the on-air opportunities ESPN has given me to talk about the NBA in the studio and at games," he said, via Stein. "Of course, I love my Pistons and Detroit. But I would never push for a job with any NBA franchise that is not open. That’s not part of my character."

Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reported last month that Pistons general manager Jeff Bower would have interest in the Charlotte Hornets' GM job, and his contract expires after the 2017-18 season. 

Stein previously said on the Dunc'd On Basketball NBA Podcast it wouldn't be a surprise if Tellem ends up running the Pistons' basketball operations. 

Billups was in the running to be the Cleveland Cavaliers' general manager last summer before withdrawing from consideration in July. 

A 17-year NBA veteran, Billups spent eight seasons with the Pistons. He was named MVP of the 2004 NBA Finals when Detroit beat the Los Angeles Lakers in five games. 

The Pistons retired Billups' No. 1 jersey at a ceremony during a February 2016 game against the Denver Nuggets.