Portland Trail Blazers’ Chauncey Billups Viewed as 1 of the Popular Coaching Candidates If He Leaves, Per Renowned Analyst

“Teams are monitoring Chauncey Billups’ situation in Portland, league sources told @SINow. The Blazers are rebuilding and just parted ways with two assistants, including Billups’s brother, Rodney. If Billups/Portland split, Billups would quickly emerge as a candidate for other jobs,” tweeted Mannix on his X (formerly known as Twitter).

According to Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian, the Portland Trail Blazers decided not to renew the contracts of top assistant Scott Brooks and defensive coach Rodney Billups, Chauncey’s younger brother.

The Portland Trail Blazers are coming off a forgettable 2023-24 campaign, as they finished the regular season with a 21-61 record, good for worst in the Western Conference. Since Chauncey Billups was appointed head coach, the team has amassed an 81-165 record in the last three seasons.

Chauncey Billups to coach at least one more year for the Portland Trail Blazers, per GM

Portland Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin said in his exit interviews that they are “committed” to Chauncey Billups going into next season, calling him an “incredible leader” in the organization.

Billups was signed to a five-year contract in 2021, which included a team option for the final season, so the upcoming 2024-25 season is the last guaranteed year for the Hall of Fame-bound guard if the front office doesn’t pick up his option.

If Chauncey Billups ultimately departs Portland, he would certainly be tied to coaching vacancies in Charlotte, Washington, and Los Angeles.

The Portland Trail Blazers are in a rebuild after dealing away Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks last summer. Because they have one of the worst records in the league this season, they have a shot at getting another top-three pick (after Scoot Henderson) and could even get the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery.