Blazers coaching search narrowing, but process still all over the place

The Trail Blazers’ coaching search is finally beginning to narrow a bit, though “organized” may still not be the right word for what’s happening behind the scenes.

According to The Oregonian’s Joe Freeman, five candidates have advanced to the next phase of interviews: Jeff Van Gundy, Tiago Splitter, Micah Nori, Tyler Lashbrook and Mike Williams.

Splitter remains one of the more interesting names in the mix after guiding Portland through an incredibly strange season as interim coach. What initially looked like a long shot for the permanent job now appears very real. Around the league, Splitter earned praise for the way he handled a difficult situation and kept the Blazers competitive.

Van Gundy brings the biggest name recognition of the group. Nori continues to generate interest basically everywhere. And Lashbrook and Williams represent two of the younger rising assistants gaining traction around the NBA.

Meanwhile, the search itself still sounds somewhat fluid.

Per Freeman, Portland hasn’t even finalized where the in-person interviews will take place. Possibilities include Portland, Dallas or even Raleigh, North Carolina, where new owner Tom Dundon has been spending significant time while the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes remain alive in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

So yes, it’s that kind of search right now.

One name apparently out of the running is Jared Dudley, who interviewed via Zoom but did not advance.

Freeman reported the Blazers would ideally like to have a decision made by the end of May, though nothing about this process has exactly screamed firm timetable.