Despite numerous outlets reporting otherwise, CBS SportsLine has confirmed that Chauncey Billups has not agreed to stay with the Detroit Pistons. Billups, according to agent Andy Miller, has been spending time with family and unreachable all day long.
"It's regrettable misinformation," Miller said via phone on Tuesday afternoon. "It's disappointing when the media is utilized as a negotiating tactic, and the reports that have gotten out there are irresponsible."
According to Miller, nothing is done -- or close to being done, for that matter. The erroneous report cited anonymous sources, claiming that a five-year deal worth $60 million was all but done, even specifying that Detroit would hold the option for the final season of the pact.
"Chauncey is very sensitive to the fans of Detroit, and he wants to send the right message to them," Miller said. "Unfortunately, someone jumped the gun, and that clearly throws a wrinkle into the process."
A potential suitor for Billups dropped out of the running earlier Tuesday when the Orlando Magic reached a verbal agreement with Rashard Lewis. But there are still rumblings that other teams are very interested in the top free agent on the market, despite the belief that Billups' first choice would be to re-sign with the Pistons.
For that reason alone, it came as no surprise when the rumor hit that Billups had decided to re-up with the Pistons. Quite obviously, though, someone received the wrong information. Miller was adamant that he had no timetable for getting a move made, and would exhaust all available options.
Free-agent negotiations began July 1, but no deal can officially be completed -- or announced -- until the moratorium on signings is lifted July 11.
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