Bulls hiring Tiago Splitter as coach; Blazers search continues

The Bulls apparently have found their next coach.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Chicago is hiring Tiago Splitter, ending a search that included Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Hawks assistant Ryan Schmidt and Bulls assistant Wes Unseld Jr.

The move also creates an interesting wrinkle for the Trail Blazers.

Splitter spent last season serving as Portland’s interim coach while Chauncey Billups remained away from the team, guiding the Blazers to a 42-40 record and a playoff appearance. He was also considered one of the finalists for Portland’s full-time coaching vacancy.

Instead, he’ll be headed to Chicago.

The Bulls are hoping Splitter can help develop a young core that includes Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey and Noa Essengue, while also preparing for the arrival of another young prospect with the No. 4 overall pick in next week’s draft.

According to Charania, new executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham and his staff were particularly impressed by Splitter’s leadership, player-development background and alignment with the organization’s long-term vision.

Splitter also brings previous head coaching experience from Europe, where he guided Paris Basketball to both the French Cup and LNB Elite championship before returning to the NBA.

As for Portland, the coaching search continues. Nori and Schmidt reportedly remain candidates there, though the Blazers may ultimately expand the search before making a final decision.

To the dismay of many media members, new owner Tom Dundon’s NHL team won the Stanley Cup championship on Sunday — proving that perhaps he actually is an owner who knows what he’s doing. 

At any rate, that’s why the Blazers’ search may have been on hold. And why the Bulls got their guy.