{"id":199001,"date":"2026-06-04T23:17:28","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T03:17:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=199001"},"modified":"2026-06-04T23:17:28","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T03:17:28","slug":"blazers-down-to-3-candidates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/06\/04\/blazers-down-to-3-candidates\/","title":{"rendered":"Trail Blazers Down to 3 Coaching Finalist While New Candidate Emerges For Mavs Job"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are still three open NBA coaching jobs, though one appears to be getting closer to being filled.\u00a0 According to NBA Insider Jake Fischer, the Portland Trail Blazers<\/a> are down to three candidates for their head coaching job: Micah Nori,<\/a> Tyler Lashbrook<\/a>, and Tiago Splitter<\/a>.<\/p>\n

NBA Coaching Rumors: Blazers Down To 3 Candidates While Mavs Add 13-Year Veteran to Ledger<\/h2>\n

“Sources tell The Stein Line that three of the five finalists we identified last week remain under consideration for the full-time post in Portland: Minnesota’s Nori, Boston’s Tyler Lashbrook and Blazers acting coach Tiago Splitter<\/a>,” Fischer said<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>“The other finalists who, according to sources, did not advance: The Clippers’ [Jeff] Van Gundy<\/a> and Utah’s Mike Williams<\/a>.”<\/span><\/p>\n

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Portland is coming off its best season since the 2020-21 season. But the Trail Blazers are searching for a new coach, with Splitter serving as interim coach following Chauncey Billups’ arrest<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Dundon also owns the Carolin Hurricanes, who are in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, so a decision may not be imminent. Also, it has been reported that Dundon, who has cut the Blazers’ spending since taking over the team, only plans on spending $1-to-1.5 million per year on a head coach.<\/p>\n

Breaking Down Blazers Head Coaching Finalists<\/h4>\n

Despite Dundon reportedly not being a fan,<\/a> Splitter appears to be the favorite. The Blazers went 41-38 over the former NBA big men, though they were only average on both ends of the floor. They did a good job rebounding, protecting the ball, and getting to the free-throw line.\u00a0 He is known for developing players and has the most head-coaching experience of the trio of candidates, having also served as head coach at Paris Basketball for one season (2024-25). Also, Deni Avidja<\/a> developed into an all-star under Splitter’s tutelage.<\/p>\n

Nori is a highly thought-of veteran assistant coach who has been Chris Finch<\/a>‘s right-hand man since 2021 and an assistant since 2009. The 52-year-old has interviewed for several coaching openings recently and took over the Timberwolves during the 2024 playoffs while Finch was recovering from a torn patellar tendon. He also coached the Wolves summer league team.<\/p>\n

Nori is known as an offensive guru who emphasizes modern and free-flowing concepts. He is also known for excellent communication skills.<\/p>\n

Lashbrook is an intriguing candidate, though he is probably not quite ready for a head coaching job at 33, with only two years as an NBA assistant. Lashbrook has been in the NBA since 2018, serving mainly in a video and player development capacity before being named head coach of the G-League Maine Celtics in 2024.\u00a0 He directed Maine to a 29-21 record and an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals.<\/p>\n

Lashbrook is considered a specialist in late-game or offensive situations. However, on the defensive end, he is considered a specialist.<\/p>\n