"Trade me," Billups said calmly, standing in front of Nuggets general manager Masai Ujiri's desk. His voice wasn't raised, but it carried the weight of someone who'd made up his mind.

After months of watching the Nuggets unravel, he knew there was no future for him here.

Ujiri flinched at first. It wasn't every day your veteran floor general asked out. But after the sting passed, the picture became clear. He'd already decided to tear this roster down. So why hang on to Billups? He leaned back in his chair, trying to keep it cordial.

"All right," Ujiri said, offering the faintest of smiles. "Where do you want to go?"

The question caught Billups off guard. He hadn't exactly drawn up a list.

"I… just want to go somewhere that's fighting for a title," Billups admitted after a pause. "Someplace where I've still got a shot at winning. I'd appreciate that."

He'd once believed he could keep Carmelo Anthony's focus anchored in Denver, steer him away from the constant noise. But Anthony's mind was elsewhere, and no amount of locker-room speeches could change that. Billups wasn't bitter—just realistic.

Maybe, someday, Melo would see the bigger picture. But Billups didn't have someday to spare. At 34, his window was shrinking fast.

...

Later that day, Ujiri's phone rang in the office of Knicks GM Donnie Walsh.

"Sorry… we're not looking to make a deal right now," Walsh said after hearing the pitch. Without hesitation, he ended the call.

Ujiri sighed. This was the problem.

Billups' numbers—14.7 points and 4.9 assists a night—were steady, but far from elite. Plenty of starting guards could match that production, and younger ones came with smaller contracts and fewer miles on their legs.

And that contract…

Billups was owed big money until 2012. That meant most contenders wouldn't touch him without dumping salary in return. Rebuilding teams didn't want him either—they weren't looking to pay an aging point guard. Even teams that might take him just to waive him off the books would hesitate; the numbers were that awkward.

Ujiri wasn't going to just give him away. If someone wanted him, they'd have to send back something worthwhile.

In Lin Yi's past life, the Melo-Billups package to New York had netted Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, a 2014 first-rounder, and two second-round picks. Not bad, but everyone knew Carmelo had been the centerpiece.

So after the fruitless searching, Ujiri's eyes drifted back to the Knicks. They had cap space.

"How am I supposed to explain this to Chauncey?" Ujiri muttered, rubbing his temples. Billups had made it clear—he wanted out. The locker room was already flat. This was going to be a headache.

...

Meanwhile, Donnie Walsh sat back after ending the call, only to remember something. He reached for the small notepad on his desk—the one Javier Stanford had helped him fill with names Lin Yi had highlighted as "of interest."

There it was. Billups.

Walsh took a deep breath and picked the phone back up, dialing Lin Yi directly.

"Hello, Mr. General Manager," Lin Yi's voice came through, calm and lighthearted.

That alone eased Walsh's nerves. "Lin, the Nuggets just called. They're offering Billups."

Lin Yi froze for a second. "Wait… Billups? Just him?"

"That's right," Walsh confirmed.

"What's the asking price?"

"They want our first-round pick—2013 or 2014—and two role players."

Lin Yi leaned back, eyebrows raised. So the Nuggets were essentially having a clearance sale.

He ran the math in his head. Billups wasn't being brought in as some long-term savior—he was a short-term stabilizer. A 34-year-old veteran with a steady hand and no ego, exactly the kind of player who could balance this young Knicks core.

If Lin's summer plans worked out, the team's future star guard would need a mentor—and Billups could be that bridge.

D'Antoni had already expressed concern about the point guard spot. Livingston's minutes were limited, Lou Williams was better suited as an offensive spark, and Lin couldn't shoulder all the playmaking responsibilities on his own. Billups, with his Finals MVP pedigree, could ease that burden and add toughness on defense.

And best of all? The Knicks could afford him.

Shaq's retirement would free up even more space next season, and Billups' deal would expire when he turned 36—perfect timing for a clean slate.

Lin Yi kept his voice steady. "Donnie, find out exactly which two role players they're asking for."

Walsh cracked a grin. "Got it."

For the first time in weeks, he felt like the phone call was worth it. If Lin Yi was on board, the rest was just logistics.

...

Masai Ujiri could feel the clock ticking. After a call from Knicks GM Donnie Walsh, the two had been going back and forth, each side probing for the other's limit.

Ujiri finally laid down his line. "Donnie, I can't give in any more. Your first-round pick in 2014, Belinelli, and one of your backup point guards. That's my price. Don't tell me it's excessive—you're getting Chauncey Billups."

Walsh leaned back in his chair, smirking faintly. He already had his second phone in hand, thumbs tapping out a quick message to Lin Yi. The reply came fast—short, decisive.

Walsh straightened. "All right, Masai. You've got a deal."

The final trade was simple:

Knicks send: Marco Belinelli, Patrick Beverley, 2014 first-round pick.

Nuggets send: Chauncey Billups.

The paperwork hit league offices within the hour. Commissioner David Stern not only approved it without fuss—he fast-tracked it. He knew as well as anyone that Lin Yi needed a veteran backcourt partner. If that meant nudging New York closer to contention, well… the politics of it all were more complicated than they looked on the surface.

Billups was exactly the kind of low-key, steady presence the Knicks had been missing at point guard. The Nuggets, in turn, got younger pieces and some flexibility. The fit was almost too clean.

...

As soon as the deal was official, Ujiri went straight to Billups.

"Chauncey… it's done," he said. "You're headed to New York."

Billups nodded once, no theatrics. "Thank you, Masai." He packed his bag quietly, making the rounds to say goodbye to his teammates.

When Carmelo Anthony heard the news, there was a flash of envy—New York was a big stage. But the thought of finally being able to dominate offensively without splitting control dulled the sting.

...

On the Knicks' end, Lin Yi had already spoken with Belinelli.

"This isn't about your ability, Marco," Lin told him. "We're just overloaded at the two and three spots. You'll get more minutes—and a better contract—elsewhere."

Belinelli nodded in understanding. In a way, it was a blessing.

Beverley was harder to part with. The guard still needed a season or two to refine his game, but Lin knew the Knicks needed players who could contribute right now. In this league, sentimentality didn't win championships. Everyone, even someone as fiercely competitive as Beverley, was a chip on the table if the timing was right.

Patrick wasn't bitter. He was grateful—Lin Yi had helped him carve out a place in the NBA. But as he and Belinelli booked flights together, he couldn't help but wish the ride had lasted a little longer.

...

When word broke that Billups was headed to New York, the ripple effect was immediate. Contenders around the league sat up straighter.

The Knicks had just shored up their weakest link. The roster that had been a dangerous upstart now looked, on paper, like a genuine championship threat. Coaches weren't fooled—this wasn't a cosmetic move. It was structural.

...

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