The first coaching change of the NBA offseason has taken place, and it’s not a terribly surprising one.
As first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, head coach Terry Stotts and the Trail Blazers have mutually agreed to part ways following Portland's first-round playoff loss.
Wojnarowski names Los Angeles Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups, ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy, Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni and Michigan coach Juwan Howard as likely candidates for the Portland job. There have been reports linking Jason Kidd to the job as well.
Stotts leaves Portland after nine seasons as head coach, which included eight consecutive playoff appearances. He’s the winningest coach in Portland history. However, in five of those eight playoff appearances, the Blazers get out of the first round despite their dynamic backcourt of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.
Rumors have been flying about Stotts for weeks, with the chatter indicating that only a deep playoff run could save his job. That did not happen, and now he’s out.
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