Report: Gilbert targeting Billups to take over Cavs' basketball operations

Following the reported departure of David Griffin as the team's general manager, Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert is targeting former NBA All-Star and current ESPN analyst Chauncey Billups to become the new president of basketball operations, according to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The two sides have mutual interest, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, and are expected to meet Tuesday.

Justin Zanik, who left the Milwaukee Bucks after being passed over for their GM vacancy, will be a "strong candidate" to work under Billups if he becomes president, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.

Billups has a preexisting relationship with both Gilbert and head coach Tyronn Lue. It's reported that he, or whomever is named the new president, would then be responsible for hiring a new GM.

This isn't the first managerial role Billups has been linked to, as he was recently interviewed for the previously vacant GM position with the Atlanta Hawks. He had also expressed his desire in the past to one day work in a front office, mentioning his former team in the Denver Nuggets as a possible destination.

The now 40-year-old signed a new multi-year contract with ESPN just last month, and is slated to serve as a player-captain for the Killer 3s in the BIG3 league.

As the third overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft, Billups competed in the Association for 17 years, winning a championship and Finals MVP honors in 2004 with the Detroit Pistons. He also played for the Nuggets, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, and Los Angeles Clippers.