Career Timeline of Chauncey Billups: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Chauncey Billups built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Chauncey Billups is an American professional basketball coach and former player, currently the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. Drafted third overall in 1997, he spent the bulk of his 17-year career with the Detroit Pistons, earning the nickname "Mr. Big Shot" for his clutch performances. Billups led the Pistons to an NBA Championship in 2004, winning the Finals MVP award. A five-time NBA All-Star, three-time All-NBA selection, and two-time All-Defensive selection, he also played for several other teams. Billups was elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024, solidifying his legacy as one of the NBA's premier point guards.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1997: NBA Debut with the Boston Celtics

In 1997, Chauncey Billups was drafted third overall by the Boston Celtics. He recorded 15 points in his first game against the Bulls. He was later traded due to not meshing with the coach.

February 18, 1998: Traded to the Toronto Raptors

On February 18, 1998, Chauncey Billups, along with Roy Rogers, Dee Brown, and John Thomas, was traded to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Kenny Anderson, Žan Tabak, and Popeye Jones.

January 21, 1999: Traded to Denver Nuggets

On January 21, 1999, Chauncey Billups was traded to the Denver Nuggets in a three-way deal.

February 1, 2000: Traded to Orlando Magic

On February 1, 2000, Chauncey Billups, along with Ron Mercer and Johnny Taylor, was traded to the Orlando Magic for Chris Gatling, Tariq Abdul-Wahad, a future first-round pick, and cash.

November 11, 2000: Season-High Points with Timberwolves

On November 11, 2000, Chauncey Billups recorded his season-high in points scored with 31 points, along with 5 rebounds and 9 assists, in a 103–92 road win over the Bucks.

2001: Breakthrough Season with Timberwolves

During the 2001-02 season, Chauncey Billups had a breakthrough season after replacing the injured Brandon. The Timberwolves won 50 games, and Billups averaged 22 points per game in the first round of the playoffs.

July 2002: Signed with the Detroit Pistons

In July 2002, Chauncey Billups signed a 6-year, $34 million contract with the Detroit Pistons to become the team's starting point guard.

2002: Opted out of previous contract

In 2002, Chauncey Billups opted out of his previous contract before signing with the Pistons again on July 11, 2007.

2002: Helped Pistons finish first in the Eastern Conference

In the 2002-03 season, Chauncey Billups helped Detroit finish first overall in the Eastern Conference with a 50-32 regular season record.

2003: Earned Mr. Big-Shot Nickname

During the 2002-03 regular season, Chauncey Billups earned the nickname "Mr. Big-Shot" for making game-winning shots. In the 2003 Playoffs, he helped the Pistons overcome a 3-1 deficit against the Orlando Magic, scoring 40 points in Game 6 and 37 points in Game 7.

2004: Won NBA Finals MVP

In 2004, Chauncey Billups helped the Detroit Pistons win the NBA Finals over the Los Angeles Lakers, earning the NBA Finals MVP Award. He averaged 21 points, 5.2 assists, and shot efficiently from the field, three-point range, and free throws.

2004: Stats for the 2004 Season

In the 2004 season, Chauncey Billups averaged 16.9 points, 5.7 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game for the Detroit Pistons.

2005: Named to NBA All-Defensive Team

In 2005, Chauncey Billups was named to the 2005 NBA Second All-Defensive Team. The Pistons reached the 2005 NBA Finals but lost to the San Antonio Spurs.

March 5, 2006: Selection for USA Men's Senior National Team

On March 5, 2006, Chauncey Billups was selected to be a part of the 2006–2008 USA Men's Senior National Team program to restore Team USA back to the top of the basketball world.

2006: NBA All-Star Selection and Three-Point Shootout

In 2006, Chauncey Billups was selected as a reserve for the Eastern Conference in the 2006 NBA All-Star Game. He also participated in the Three-point Shootout contest. Billups and the Pistons had a franchise-best 64-18 record.

July 11, 2007: Signed a Contract with the Pistons

On July 11, 2007, Chauncey Billups signed a $46 million, four-year contract with the Detroit Pistons.

August 20, 2007: Selection for Team USA

On August 20, 2007, Billups was selected to be a part of Team USA that competed at the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship, a qualifying tournament for the Beijing Olympics.

2007: NBA All-Star Selection and Shooting Stars Competition

In 2007, Chauncey Billups was selected as a reserve for the Eastern Conference in the NBA All-Star Game. He also participated in and won the Shooting Stars Competition with Team Detroit.

June 17, 2008: Billups Announces Olympic Squad Absence

On June 17, 2008, Billups announced he would not compete for a spot to be on the Olympic squad citing family reasons.

November 3, 2008: Traded back to the Denver Nuggets

On November 3, 2008, Chauncey Billups was traded back to his hometown team, the Denver Nuggets, along with Antonio McDyess and Cheikh Samb, in exchange for Allen Iverson.

November 7, 2008: First Game of the Season

On November 7, 2008, Chauncey Billups played his first game of the Nuggets' 2008-09 season, recording 15 points in a 108-105 win.

2008: Hamstring Injury in Playoffs

During Game 3 of the first round of the 2008 NBA playoffs against the Orlando Magic, Chauncey Billups injured his right hamstring, causing him to miss the remaining games of the series. The Pistons lost to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.

2008: Selected to NBA All-Star Game

In 2008, Chauncey Billups was selected to play as a reserve in the NBA All-Star Game as an injury replacement, along with teammates Richard Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace.

November 27, 2009: Billups and Anthony Make NBA History

On November 27, 2009, in the Nuggets' win over the New York Knicks, Billups scored 32 points while Carmelo Anthony scored 50, making them the third duo in NBA history to score at least 30 and 50 points respectively.

2009: Finished sixth in voting for the 2009 NBA Most Valuable Player Award

In 2009, Billups finished the season sixth in voting for the 2009 NBA Most Valuable Player Award and was selected to his second All-NBA Third Team.

2009: NBA All-Star Selection

In 2009, Chauncey Billups was selected to the NBA All-Star Game as the only Nugget representing the team. He finished the season averaging 17.7 points and 6.4 assists per game.

February 5, 2010: Billups Sets Career High in Points

On February 5, 2010, Billups set a career high in points with a 39-point performance in a road win over the Los Angeles Lakers, with 27 of those points coming from 9 three-pointers.

February 22, 2011: Traded to the New York Knicks

On February 22, 2011, Billups was traded to the New York Knicks as part of the Carmelo Anthony deal, marking a difficult transition for him and his family.

December 12, 2011: Los Angeles Clippers Claim Billups Off Waivers

On December 12, 2011, after the Knicks used their amnesty clause on Billups, the Los Angeles Clippers claimed him off waivers. Despite initial reluctance, Billups expressed happiness after the Clippers traded for Chris Paul.