AP- Minnesota Timberwolves guard Chauncey Billups opted out of the final season of his three-year contract and will become a free agent. Billups' decision further muddies an already uncertain situation at point guard for the Timberwolves. Seldom-used reserve Will Avery's contract expired last season, and he is expected not to return. That would leave veteran Terrell Brandon as the only remaining point guard on the roster. And he probably won't know until August whether a knee injury sustained last season will cause him to retire. "Chauncey is looking for the opportunity to play. If Terrell is back, we expect him to be fully healthy and play 30 minutes a night,'' team vice president Kevin McHale said. "That leaves only 18 minutes for his backup. If he's playing really well and playing 32, 34 minutes, that leaves only 14, 16 minutes for his backup.'' Billups, who was out of the country and unavailable for comment, averaged 12.5 points, 5.5 assists and 28.7 minutes last season, largely in a starter's role after Brandon had season-ending knee surgery in February. His agent, Andy Miller, said Billups wants to start for a championship-caliber team, and the uncertainty surrounding Brandon was a major factor in his decision. McHale said the target date for determining Brandon's future is Aug. 15. The team is hoping Brandon, an 11-year veteran, will be in 100 percent game shape by then -- or at least rehabilitated enough for a doctor to predict his future. Teams can start negotiating with free agents July 1, and begin signing them July 16. The Timberwolves, who have the 52nd pick in Wednesday's draft, have only the mid-level exception ($4.5 million last season) and million-dollar exception (worth $1.4 million) with which to lure free agents. Under Billups' old contract, he would have made $2.7 million next season. As a so-called "Early Bird'' free agent, the Timberwolves can offer him the average player salary, which was $4.5 million last season.
