Denver Nuggets PG Chauncey Billups Wrist Injury Leads Way For Backup Ty Lawson

Chauncey Billups, the Denver Nuggets veteran point guard, is expected to sit December 14 when his teammates host the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, Dwight Howard’s Orlando Magic.

Billups is having the worst season of his career since being with the Minnesota Timberwolves. His field goal percentage is down to 35.1, his three-point shooting percentage is down to 35.4 and his free throw percentage is down to 88.3. He is averaging 14.4 points per game, down from 19.6 last season, and is averaging just 2.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.

This wrist injury is just continuing the downfall for the aging veteran.

This is not to say that Billups has nothing left in the tank, but he is not the answer anymore in Denver.

Billups helped the Nuggets get to the 2009 Western Conference Finals as the No. 2 seed in the West.

Now, the Denver Nuggets are the No. 6 seed in the West, but they are taking a major hit with the rumors swirling that Carmelo Anthony said he will not sign Denver’s contract extension unless he is traded to the Knicks. This means at some point this season or in the offseason, Anthony—Denver’s best player—will no longer be with the team.

At this point, it may be wise for Denver to see if they can get anything in return for  Billups, whose veteran presence would greatly assist any team hoping to land a championship this season.

The Nuggets have a very good point guard waiting in the wings in Ty Lawson, who is the future in Denver. In his sophomore season, Lawson is averaging 9.8 points, 4.0 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 23.4 minutes per game.

Since Billups could miss the next three games, the Nuggets are going to really see what Lawson is made of. It’s a different story when a player comes off the bench than when they start. Lawson has what it takes though to be a contributing factor.

At least with Anthony back from a bothersome knee, Lawson will have some help in his spot-starts to show management he is every bit the future some people, including myself, thinks he is.

Denver has been placed in a tough situation with the reported Carmelo Anthony statements. The window has shut on their NBA Championship hopes. It is time to rebuild again and moving Billups in favor of Lawson is a fine way to start the transition.