Chauncey Billups is going to be the next head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski adds that the two sides are progressing in their negotiations and are expected to come to an official agreement over the weekend.
Spurs assistant Becky Hammon and Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni were the other finalists for the job previously held by Terry Stotts.
Trail Blazers owner Jody Allen reportedly pushed for Hammon, while president of basketball operations Neil Olshey preferred Billups. Both of them came in for second interviews this week. Hammon became the first female finalist for an NBA head-coaching position.
For Billups, it’ll be his first head-coaching job. The 2004 Finals MVP for the Pistons, the organization in which he acquired the nickname “Mr. Big Shot,” joined Tyronn Lue’s staff this season after a stint with ESPN. Billups, 44, retired after the 2013-14 season.
Billups has frequently been cited as a front-runner for the job. He also received an endorsement from point guard Damian Lillard following Stotts’ exit. He also interviewed for the Celtics’ job, which went to Nets assistant Ime Udoka.
The Wizards, Magic and Pelicans are still in the process of hiring new head coaches.
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