Injuries have wiped out the majority of Chauncey Billups' last two seasons, as the veteran guard has combined to play just 40 games since December 2011 — 20 in '11/12 and 20 more this season. However, despite being slowed by health issues, Billups isn't contemplating retirement, as Arash Markazi of ESPNLosAngeles.com writes.
Before he sat out last night's game against the Timberwolves, the sixth in a row he has missed, Billups assured reporters, including Markazi, that he'd be back on the court by the end of the regular season. Asked whether this would be his last season and/or postseason, Billups replied, "No. Not at all."
While Billups' drop-off in production over the last two seasons can probably be attributed in large part to his health, he'll also turn 37 years old before the 2013/14 season gets underway. Having made over $100MM in his playing career, according to Basketball-Reference, and with no contract yet for next season, it wouldn't have been totally shocking if Billups called it a career. But he did suggest earlier this season that he'd like to play for a few more years, and it looks like he's sticking to that stance.
Billups signed a one-year deal worth $4MM last summer to remain with the Clippers. I'd imagine there will be mutual interest between the two sides in continuing the relationship beyond this season, though it would likely have to be for a reduced salary.