The Trail Blazers’ coaching search is starting to clarify itself, as it was recently reported that interim head coach Tiago Splitter is being considered a finalist for the head coach job, and that Portland has requested permission to interview the Clippers’ lead assistant Jeff Van Gundy, who was also called a finalist for the job.
A third name has also entered the competition, as Marc Stein of The Stein Line reports that Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori is also a finalist for the job (Twitter link).
While the Blazers’ interest in the Wolves’ assistant was already known, it was unclear until Thursday the level to which that interest rose.
Nori has been an assistant coach since 2009. He started his career with the Raptors before spending time with the Kings, Nuggets, and Pistons. He has been with the Wolves for the last five seasons and has become an increasingly popular name in coaching searches over recent years, including being rumored as a candidate for the Mavericks’ job opening.