NBA Trade Rumors: Chauncey Billups Shifts NBA Landscape

Chauncey Billups is 35 years old and on the down slope of his career.

Yet, he was connected to the top two trade targets in the NBA on Monday and he could be the sole reason the Los Angeles Clippers get back into trade talks with New Orleans point guard Chris Paul after they stalled.

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard reportedly was reconsidering his stance about leaving the Magic on Monday and Billups was said to be a player he wanted if he was to stay in Orlando.

Then, just as it appeared the Magic may go after Billups, he was stolen by the Clippers.

Billups was hours away from clearing waivers on Monday after the New York Knicks waived him. If he had cleared, the Magic and Miami Heat were said to be in the running for his services.

But the Clippers claimed him before he cleared waivers and now they could legitimately package a deal that would send Paul from the Hornets to the Clippers.

With the acquisition of Billups, who reportedly cost about $2 million, the Clippers now have point guard depth, which means they could package point guard Eric Bledsoe in a deal that would better meet the NBA's demands.

Now "a person familiar with the negotiations" is saying that the Hornets "have no choice" but to ship Paul to the Clippers given this is the only offer that could legitimately work for the NBA, per CBSSports.com.

All of this because of one aging veteran who was just recently cast off by the Knicks.

It's mind-boggling, that after all the speculation and all the rumors, Billups of all people could shift the NBA landscape and be the sole reason why a Paul deal is ultimately worked out.

In the end, Clippers fans (and Paul) could be thanking one Chauncey Billups.