10:35pm: The Blazers have issued a press release confirming they’re hiring Billups as their new head coach.
“Chauncey is a proven leader with an elite basketball IQ that has won everywhere he has been,” Olshey said in a statement. “He is prepared for the challenge of developing the championship habits and strategic approach we need to achieve the expectations and goals for our franchise.”
9:51pm: The Trail Blazers and Chauncey Billups have reached an agreement that will make the former NBA point guard the new head coach in Portland, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The team parted ways with former head coach Terry Stotts earlier in June.
It’ll be a five-year deal for Billups. The contract features four guaranteed seasons and a team option on the fifth year, per Wojnarowski, who adds that the new head coach will be officially introduced on Tuesday.
Blazers owner Jody Allen and president of basketball operations Neil Olshey met with finalists Billups, Mike D’Antoni, and Becky Hammon in Seattle this week. After their meeting with Billups, the Blazers’ franchise leaders were convinced he was the right candidate for the job, sources tell ESPN.
Portland is moving forward with Billups despite facing some criticism over the choice due to a 1997 sexual assault case involving the former All-Star. No criminal charges were brought against Billups, who was a rookie at the time, and the case was ultimately settled in civil court.
The Blazers looked into that incident before formally offering the job to Billups on Friday, and he encouraged the examination, says Wojnarowski. Billups’ answers in conversations with team officials aligned with findings from an independent investigation, and the Blazers didn’t learn anything they felt disqualified Billups from being offered the position, Woj adds.
Billups has no previous head coaching experience, but was considered a future head coach or GM during his days as a player based on his leadership and his heady approach to the game. Since retiring in 2014, he has worked as a broadcaster and – in 2020/21 – as an assistant coach on Tyronn Lue‘s Clippers staff.
The Blazers intend to be aggressive about filling out Billups’ staff with experienced coaches to help ensure a smooth transition, says Wojnarowski.
Billups will be tasked with elevating a team that has stalled out in the postseason in recent years. He’ll also play a major role in making sure franchise player Damian Lillard remains happy in Portland. A report from Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports on Sunday suggested that the Blazers’ roster shortcomings and the backlash to the coaching search have created some uncertainty about Lillard’s commitment to the organization.
However, Lillard has long expressed his desire to remain in Portland long-term and he remains under contract for four more years. He also publicly endorsed Billups early in the club’s coaching search. While it’s still possible he could ask for a trade, the Blazers will do all they can to address Lillard’s potential discontent.
The Celtics (Ime Udoka), Pacers (Rick Carlisle), Mavericks (Jason Kidd), and Blazers have now completed coaching searches this month. The Wizards, Magic, and Pelicans remain on the lookout for new head coaches.
Wow 5 years why not 3 and see how he does. This is Billups first job as coach
My guess: he’s let go after two years.
I can’t help but laugh at Sixers fans who think they can get Dame for Simmons.
Even if Lillard forces them to trade him like Harden did in Houston the Blazers will easily be able to get a far better deal anywhere else than trading him for Simmons.
Simmons is better than any player on Houston’s roster, so “anywhere” is an overstatement.
Debatable. Coming from someone that hates that Rockets. I’d rather have Wood.
Seriously, how many teams out there would rather have Simmons instead of Wood, Porter, or whomever Houston takes at #2?
I said one player. That’s two players and a draft pick.
justinkm19 raises a fair point, though I have a different opinion than him… Simmons is both younger and has been Ben Simmons for longer.
Wood who has had 1 good season and is already half way through his career. Or Simmons the former first overall pick, that was second in DPOY, an all star and going to get better. Think most teams would rather Simmons over Wood.
As for other pieces too, you have KP Jr who has off the court issues whereas we have Maxey or Thybulle (just made all defensive teams)….
Straight up? Oh helllllllllll no.
Add in like 4 firsts and other swaps like the pg3 trade and I could see it.
Dame for Simmons straight up, no. However, throw in two firsts and I think the Philly package tops the Houston package.
I don’t think any Sixers fan beside the equivalent of you would think that the trade is a 1 for 1. Of course, the Sixers package would include more than Simmons.
I’m a 6er fan,and I don’t really like the idea of trading Simmons plus for Lillard.Especially if the plus is Maxey,Thybulle and draft picks.That would be a robbery on the Blazers side.
Simmons choked in that Atlanta series,no doubt.But he’s 24,I still believe he can work on his free throws and gain confidence in his shooting,but it’s on the 6ers to get the right people to work with him.Maybe they can get Seth Curry’s pop to work with him.
This is what I think
Lillard is trying to force Management to upgrade the roster, not force out to play for other teams
please keep in mind the article never said Lillard has demanded or even suggested he wanted to leave yet alone was demanding a trade. it’s a bored writer suggesting something.
CJ >>>> to Hawks ….. first Billups trade .
Collins, Bogdanovic, Reddish, #1 pick in 2021.
1. Billups is HC not GM.
2. That’s way too much for McCollum. Maybe Bogdanavich and a 1st.
3. Young and McCollum would be a horrible backcourt pairing. They have almost the same play style and wouldn’t have anyone in the backcourt that plays D.
I think you are both off. I agree the original offer was too much for McCollum, but Bogdanovic and a low 1st is way too little.
Maybe a compromise between the two of Bogdanovic, Reddish and the 1st would be the way to go. Or a sign and trade of Collins for CJ would work.
It’s three players and the 20th pick in this draft. Blazers get two starters. And CJ doesn’t run a team or get ast. So is nothing like Young. He’s a true SG. But more important is not afraid of big time. I’m both teams I do it. Winning is about pulling the trigger. Not contemplating trade scenarios. With Bogdanovic Blazers can resign Powell. So they’ll have what they never had under Dame. Depth and deeper talent. Collins and Covington is nice wing combo. Dame is 31, so how exactly do you think he gets to Finals. Gotta be by moving CJ.
Winning is all about “contemplating trade scenarios”, not about pulling the trigger on a massive deal while still in the playoffs. And Blazers are hardly settled yet. Outrageous.
It’s hilarious that we’re breaking up the Hawks to fit fantasy trades. They’re in the EC Finals. I don’t imagine they’re looking to blow it up to help other teams (and their fans).
Why not? The 76ers “process” started right after they lost the EC Finals. I’m not saying you should break up the Hawks, but trading a couple of bench players and a low first rounder to acquire CJ McCollum is not exactly waving the white flag, is it? They are a team on the rise, but they are not a completed project just yet.
Agreed. Collins alone is approaching CJ’s value.
Thoughts and prayers go out to his family. He was a good man and will be missed. RIP
Simmons has to be traded. He can’t go back to Philly after this. Needs to go play SF somewhere. Plenty of teams would take Simmons. Sixers don’t need to give him away. Just need to wait and let the drama die down. I take Simmons next to Randle.
Toppin, Quickly, two #1 picks 2021. Plus two future swaps.
I think thats a good deal for both sides, if you mean Randle+Toppin+Quickly and two mavs unportected picks. Without Randle that doesn’t work
It doesn’t work regardless, Knicks biggest strength defense, Ben’s greatest talent more defense. Knicks greatest weakness Offense, Ben’s biggest weakness offense. There isn’t a trade that works with the Knicks, they have some nice cap space and that’s the only way they are going to get better.
he wasn’t including Randle. Knicks wouldn’t try to move Randle they would want Simmons to join him.
A little off topic, but do you think wrestling is real?
they don’t give gold medals for nothing.
No the WWE and AEW?
Way off topic actually, but I’d say pro wrestling is as “real” as a tv show or movie but much more painful.
Ok thank you
Are you serious? It’s common knowledge that wrestling entertainment is just entertainment.
It’s not real like pro sports, but it sure isn’t fake. They risk serious injury every time they wrestle and until they get very well known, they don’t do it for much money.
Why do so many comments get dropped off here? I just posted something that said nothing even remotely offensive. Just pointed out how bizarre it is to opine that Dame wants out of PDX because of the backlash around hiring Billups (who was one of two coaches Dame named as his preferred new coach).
So why I am I getting my post deleted MLBTR???????
It wasn’t deleted. It was posted on the Lillard story, not this one.
Nothing you said is accurate. Please try harder, even just a little, this isn’t rocket surgery.
rocket surgery?
He meant to say brain science …
SCUD refurb. When scuds land without exploding, one hires rocket surgeons to spruce them up.
billups 5yr window. lillard …yr window?
Congrats Big Shot Billups, get your feet wet in Portland and in a couple years come back home to the D. Our young squad will be ready for the CHIP by then!
Why hasn’t Sexton been mentioned as a trade piece? Three way deal could see Lillard sent somewhere he could be paired with another star to make a legit run.
I think if Boston is willing to include Jaylen Brown, they would have arguably the best collection of young players/picks to offer for Lillard. I don’t think they have the best offer without Brown, but with him I would take it over a Simmons-led Philly package or a Wiggins/Wiseman led package fron GS or just about anything else.
Becky Hammon should have gotten that spot
Becky Hammon should’ve gotten that spot
Saying it twice doesn’t make it any more true.
Maybe she would be twice as good…..
Jim Boylen sat in his basement rec room, befuddled. Why would Portland hire an inexperienced coach? With so many openings on teams with nothing to lose, why is his phone not ringing? Maybe he accidentally put it on “do not disturb”, that has happened before…after checking his settings, Boylen put his head in his hands and began to quietly weep.
Interesting hire. This team has an urgent win now call and to bring in a new coach. The nets did it with nash. So it’ll be interesting to see it play out.
They have to find out a way to add more defense and versatile wing players. Hopefully zach Collins can finally be healthy. What will happen to melo? (Btw remember when billups played with melo???)
Billups was a solid and heady PG. Ever wonder why so many head coaches were PGs in their playing days. Managing a gm is one of most important things a PG can do ……… CP3 says hi RocketHomer
Wish Chauncey the best. Go get em coach.
Dame packages:
1. Ben Simmons, Tyrese Maxey/Mattise Thybulle (pick 1), Paul Reed and 2 first round picks.
2. Jaylen Brown, Aaron Nesmith, Romeo Langford and 2 first for Dame.
3. KAT, DLo, Culver, a first and 2 seconds for Dame and Nurkic.
4. Brandon Ingram, Eric Bledsloe, Jaxson Hayes and 3 first for Dame and Covington
There’s just some random ideas.
Philly one is obvious cause Ben is likely traded and they also have young talent and picks. Fairly even deal.
Celtics, thought might be interesting having Dame and Tatum for scoring with Smart and Horford for defence. Portland probably say no.
Minny would be very interesting, Dame with Ant and Nurkic possibly moving to Seattle? Portland would get a great return. Minny probably not getting enough.
Lastly Pelicans. Dame Lonzo maybe Covington and Zion. Would be weird but could work. Portland get a solid return and can build around Ingram.
Id like to see 3 & 4 …especially 3
What’s your Denver scenario…my gut leads me there, I think Dame see’s Magic in Joker’s game paired with his …..obv MPJ but idk what else can push them over the needle (or your realistic scenarios (that top MPJ))…their future firsts would be garbage w Dame/Joker/Murray and forming Another Western Conf superpower cant be exciting for Por either
If they had Lillard they wouldn’t really need Murray but to entertain your scenario…MPJ, Barton, Harris and all the 1sts for Dame.
Not to sound dismissive but I don’t think Nuggets need him. Only thing that stopped them this year was an injury. Remember last postseason Murray was a beast against SpidaMitchell. Went down 3-1 dropping 50, then backed it up going 42 then 50 again then they won game 7.
Jokic just had an MVP season, MPJ just missed most improved player, and Aaron Gordon looked great after the trade.
That’s a seriously good team and all you dudes, don’t think you mess with that, especially adding Dame who’s getting old.
If Nuggets went for anyone it should be a lockdown 2 guard.
You right there that MIN ain’t gettin’ anywhere enough return, I mean clearly KAT is way better than Dame & much younger, D’Lo also is better & younger than Nurkic, which isn’t sayin’ much countin’ that Nurkic is a meh player, then you add Culver & 2 seconds… I mean POR is fleecin’ MIN in there!
I hope KAT stays for a long time in MIN to build his HoF legacy in there, & hopefully have a deep run in the post season along the way!
FIRE OLSHEY! Boycott Blazers! And F U Dame- bye bye!
No
We need a laugh emoji here, we got that beautiful like button but comments like this deserve a more rediculas emoji.
Btw
Dame
Will
Not
Be
Traded
To all those posting all these trades
Methinks these playoffs are seriously lacking excitement, hence all of these Dame trade chatter.
Why would the BLAZERS trade Dame, who’s still in his prime ……. moreso now, that they have a new head coach.
Move on, nothing to see here.
Wow, 5 year sentence for a first time offen… I mean coach.
Could there be a scenario where Kawhi joins Dame and Chain ey in Portland? A trade that features McCollum Collins and more? Powell essentially replaces McCollum, Marcus Morris replaces Kawhi plus whomever else Blazers include like a RoCo…?