Blazers expected to hold on to coach Chauncey Billups after team’s obvious strides

The Portland Trail Blazers dropped their next-to-last game of the regular season Friday night, falling 103-86 to the Golden State Warriors in a largely uneventful contest at Moda Center. But the outcome on the court was little more than background noise to a more pressing question facing the franchise: Will Chauncey Billups return as head coach next season?

The loss drops Portland to 35-46, with just one game remaining — a Sunday afternoon finale against the Los Angeles Lakers. With postseason hopes long since extinguished and general manager Joe Cronin having signed a multi-year extension, Billups’ future looms as the franchise’s final unresolved storyline.

The 47-year-old is wrapping up the fourth and final guaranteed year of his original five-year contract. The Trail Blazers hold a team option for the fifth season, but the speculation surrounding a possible extension intensified Friday morning when longtime Oregon columnist Dwight Jaynes reported Billups is expected to return with a new multi-year deal.

Billups Reflects on Challenging Season

Before Friday’s loss, Billups was asked to evaluate his performance this season. He didn’t shy away from offering a broad reflection on his growth as a coach and his vision for the team’s future.

“I think that I’ve also taken a lot of strides this year with this team,” Billups told reporters. “Having the opportunity to compete pretty much all the way to the end has given me some incredible experiences and games that I know I’ve learned a lot from.”

Billups pointed to the evolving identity of his young roster as a sign of progress, noting that the team is beginning to reflect his own coaching personality.

“I think this year more than any year, when you look at our team, I think they kinda embody my personality now,” he said. “So I thought we all as a group, myself included, just came a long way and got better.”

Staying Competitive, Despite Lottery Incentives

Despite the Blazers’ place near the bottom of the Western Conference standings and the potential benefit of improved NBA Draft Lottery odds, they have continued to compete down the stretch — a philosophy Billups made clear he supports.

“I just believe you can’t control fate,” Billups said. “It’s more important for me as the head coach, at least, it was really important for me to keep trying to establish the winner that I am. I think when my guys understand that and they know that, they start to replicate that.”

Billups holds a career coaching record of 116-211 across four seasons. His tenure has been marked by significant roster turnover, none more seismic than the departure of longtime franchise star Damian Lillard last offseason. In the wake of Lillard’s exit, the Blazers transitioned toward a youth-driven rebuild, with players like Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe taking on larger roles.

Looking Ahead

While the final outcome of the Blazers’ season will be decided Sunday, the franchise’s next move may carry far more weight. With Cronin’s front office now secured and a core of young talent in place, the question remains whether Billups will be trusted to guide the next chapter of Portland’s rebuild — or if the organization is ready for a fresh voice on the sidelines.

Keeping Billups seems to be the goal, and frankly, that would be the best decision after a fairly inspiring season.