Today news broke that the Chicago Bulls have hired former Portland Trail Blazers Acting Head Coach Tiago Splitter as their next head man. The hiring takes Splitter out of Portland’s current coaching search for their now-completely-vacant position. Splitter was rumored to be a finalist along with Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori and Boston Celtics assistant Tyler Lashbrook.
On the heels of Splitter’s loss, the team of Joel Lorenzi, Jason Quick, and Sam Amick of The Athletic are reporting
that Portland could scramble as they resume the hiring process [subscription required]. Progress was delayed as Blazers Owner Tom Dundon’s Carolina Hurricanes won the NHL’s Stanley Cup. Now one of the three potential candidates has moved on and the other two are in consideration elsewhere. What happens if the well runs dry for Portland?
Splitter was one of three finalists for Portland’s coaching position, but was never formally offered the job, according to a team source, who spoke to The Athletic on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Splitter was told he was welcome to return at a certain price point, which wasn’t agreeable to Splitter and his agent, Andy Miller. That prompted the Blazers to open a search.
With Splitter leaving, the Blazer team source said Portland’s coaching finalists are down to Minnesota assistant Nori and Boston Celtics assistant Tyler Lashbrook. The Blazers and Dallas Mavericks are the only teams with a coaching vacancy, and if Dallas hires either Nori or Lashbrook, there is a chance the Blazers re-open their search, according to the team source.
Portland fans are already suspicious of new ownership. If they process resets and the Blazers have to bring in a whole new slate of candidates, prepare for headlines and tensions to rise in the Pacific Northwest. Stay tuned.
