Juwan Howard, Jeff Van Gundy Among Expected Blazers Candidates

ESPN in-game analyst Jeff Van Gundy and Michigan’s Juwan Howard are among the early expected candidates for the Trail Blazers’ coaching vacancy, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni and Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups are two other named likely to be in the mix, Wojnarowski added.

Portland and coach Terry Stotts mutually parted ways Friday after nine seasons together.

Earlier Friday, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported the Blazers are also expected to target Lakers assistant Jason Kidd.

Van Gundy, 59, coached the Rockets from 2003-07 and the Knicks from 1996-2001. He most recently coached the U.S. men’s basketball team to the gold medal at the 2017 FIBA World Cup.

He has been a regular in-game analyst for ABC and ESPN since 2007, currently teaming with Mark Jackson and play-by-play man Mike Breen to form the network’s No. 1 NBA broadcast team.

Kidd, 48, has coached both the Nets and Bucks, compiling a 183-190 record in five seasons overall.

D’Antoni, 70, coached the Rockets for four years before signing on with Steve Nash and the Nets. He also coached the Nuggets, Suns, Lakers and Knicks. Overall, D’Antoni has compiled a 718-555 record during the regular season, but is just 54-56 in the playoffs.

Howard, 48, was named AP Coach of the Year in 2021. Michigan has gone 39-16 in its two seasons under Howard. It also has what is widely considered the nation’s top recruiting class coming in next season.

Billups, 44, is in his first season assisting Tyronn Lue with the Clippers, and his first year as a coach at any level.