Minnesota Timberwolves: 25 Best Players To Play For The Timberwolves

Mar 2, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of the Target Center during the second half of the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Washington Wizards. The Wizards won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; A general view of the Target Center during the second half of the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Washington Wizards. The Wizards won 104-98. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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PORTLAND, UNITED STATES: Minnesota Timberwolves Chauncey Billups (C) makes a pass around the Portland Trail Blazers Chris Dudley (L) during the second quarter of their game in Portland, Oregon, 30 December 2001. (JOHN GRESS/AFP/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, UNITED STATES: Minnesota Timberwolves Chauncey Billups (C) makes a pass around the Portland Trail Blazers Chris Dudley (L) during the second quarter of their game in Portland, Oregon, 30 December 2001. (JOHN GRESS/AFP/Getty Images) /

86. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Free agent, Aug. 8, 2000.. PG-SG. 2000-02. Chauncey Billups. 13. player

Chauncey Billups came to the Minnesota Timberwolves in August 2000 as a former lottery pick who was thought to be running out of time to show something.

He left to become the linchpin for an NBA champion.

MIN_13_BILLUPS
MIN_13_BILLUPS /

Billups signed with the

Detroit Pistons

in July 2002 after two solid seasons in Minnesota during which he averaged 10.9 points, 4.5 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 26.1 minutes per game, shooting .423/.387/.867.

Selected third out of Colorado by the Boston Celtics in the 1997 NBA Draft, Billups was traded to the Toronto Raptors in February 1998 and to the Denver Nuggets in a three-team deal in January 1999.

In February 2000, Billups was dealt to the Orlando Magic but never played for them because of a shoulder injury.

His career took off in Detroit. Billups was the 2004 NBA Finals MVP, a three-time All-Star, and a two-time All-NBA and All-Defensive pick before being traded back to the Nuggets in November 2008, where he made two more All-Star bids and was All-NBA in 2008-09.

He was traded to the New York Knicks in February 2011 as part of a three-team deal before he was waived in December 2011. Two days later he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers and returned to Detroit as a free agent in July 2013.

The Pistons declined Billups’ option for 2013-14 and in September 2014, he retired.

He is 10th in NBA history with 1,830 3-pointers, 41st with 5,636 assists and sixth with a free-throw percentage of .894.

Next: The 1st Draft Pick