The return date of Chauncey Billups from his torn Achilles' tendon remains a mystery.

"Barring any setbacks, I'm hoping in a month I'll be back out there," said Billups on ESPN's Countdown.

Billups is currently playing in practice at game speed and without soreness.

"It's been nothing in my Achilles'. My Achilles' is great. It's strong, powerful," Billups said. "It's recalibrating the rest of my body, getting it up to speed, telling it 'It's time to go.'"

Billups is being careful to avoid any setbacks. 

"I could turn it on for a week or so and, boom, have to shut it down for a few days. I don't want to do that," he said. "I don't want to play two games and sit two games. I want to be back playing and be part of that team everyday."