Chauncy Billups has been named the next head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers. Per Adrian Wojnarowski, Billups received a five-year deal with a team option in the final year of his contract.
Portland decided to move on from former head coach Terry Stotts after being bounced out of the first-round again by the Denver Nuggets in six games. After meeting with Billups in the middle of the week last week, Portland knew they found their guy to replace Stotts. The Blazers gave the former Pistons star an offer on Friday and he agreed to the terms on Sunday. The team announced that he will be introduced on Tuesday.
Another name that became a finalist for the job was San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon. Hammon is a rising star among coaches in the NBA and will likely become a head coach this year or even next year.
Once Billups had retired, he wanted to get back into the NBA somehow. Some believed that NBA Finals MVP would end up becoming a general manager for a team. In fact, Billups was offered a front office role with the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2017, but Billups decided that the “timing wasn’t right.”
This past season, the five-time all-star was hired as an assistant coach for Tyronn Lue’s Los Angeles Clippers. Billups worked closely with Paul George this season to help improve his playmaking ability.
The next step for Portland is surrounding their newest head coach with a solid coaching staff and figuring out if they’re able to keep their superstar player, Damian Lillard. There’s some speculation that Lillard might want out of Portland after posting a message on his Instagram saying, “How long should I stay dedicated? How long til opportunity meet preparation?” This came out the same night after Portland was knocked out of the playoffs against Denver.
According to a piece in The Athletic, Lillard wanted the next head coach to have some experience and said, “I like J. Kidd and Chauncey.” Obviously, J. Kidd is Jason Kidd who was just hired as the next head coach of the Dallas Mavericks.
The hiring of Billups should be a big step in keeping Lillard happy in the next year of his monster contract, but teams are monitoring the situation with the All-Star in Portland.
Portland is handing the keys over to their next head coach with one of the worst defenses in the league, but also two great shooters on offense including Lillard and C.J. McCollum. The Blazers could look to add another star player to team up with Lillard and McCollum to create their version of a “Big 3” in the offseason.
As of right now, Billups is taking over a playoff team and has some time to try and turn things around to and get his team to the next level in the Western Conference.
More from The Woody Paige Sports Network:
- Woody Paige: That time I played blackjack with Michael Jordan in Monte Carlo
- Atlanta Falcons lose by accidentally scoring a touchdown
- John Elway’s 7 best moments as General Manager of the Denver Broncos
- Denver Broncos favored to land Aaron Rodgers via trade
- Woody Paige: Broncos need to make offer for Aaron Rodgers the Packers can’t refuse
- Woody Paige: Broncos QB competition between Lock, Bridgewater (and Rodgers?) begins
- Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski announces he will retire after upcoming season
- Atlanta Falcons trade Julio Jones to Tennessee Titans
