Blazers Hiring Champion G League Coach to Join Chauncey Billups' Staff

This is an intriguing swing from Portland, and speaks to a clear investment in bolstering Billups' bench with an exciting young basketball mind.

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Crawford, 34, has won championships at both the NBA and G League levels.

He was brought in as a player development coach with the Charlotte Hornets in 2018-19, then joined Frank Vogel's staff for the Los Angeles Lakers' 2019-20 championship season. He stayed with Vogel through Vogel's firing in 2022, then served under former Lakers assistant Jason Kidd on the Dallas Mavericks in 2022-23.

Next, Crawford joined Vogel again, on the 49-win Phoenix Suns in 2023-24.

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He led Stockton, the Sacramento Kings' NBAGL affiliate, to a 22-12 regular season record this past season and the league title.

Clearly, Billups and Portland general manager Joe Cronin have been keeping tabs on Crawford's development, and are excited to bring him back to the NBA proper.

Last year, Billups guided Portland to a solid 36-46 record — and that finish may have been stronger had the team not been not-so-subtly trying to tank over the last few weeks of the season, while jockeying for a higher lottery pick in next month's 2025 NBA Draft.

The Trail Blazers boast an intriguing young core, comprising forwards Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara, guards Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, and Anfernee Simons (although, at 26, it's unclear if Cronin sees Simons as belonging to this "core"), and defense-first center Donovan Clingan.

Portland also has several veterans on expiring contracts who could theoretically be moved for more draft equity this summer, led by Deandre Ayton and Jerami Grant.

It's going to be an interesting summer.

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For all the latest news and notes on the Portland Trail Blazers, visit Portland Trail Blazers on SI.