Knicks assistant Chris Jent emerges in Blazers coaching search

A familiar name to Knicks and Cavaliers fans has surfaced in the Trail Blazers’ coaching search.

According to Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden Report and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, New York associate head coach Chris Jent has emerged as a candidate for Portland’s head coaching vacancy.

Jent joined the Knicks last summer and helped New York capture its first NBA championship since 1973. Before that, he spent time with several organizations, including the Cavaliers, Lakers, Magic, Kings, Hawks and Hornets.

Cavs fans may remember Jent best from his two stints in Cleveland, where he worked alongside LeBron James and earned a reputation as one of the league’s most respected assistant coaches.

A former Ohio State standout, Jent has been in coaching for more than two decades and has served in a variety of roles at both the NBA and collegiate levels.

The Trail Blazers were previously believed to be focusing on finalists that included Micah Nori and Tyler Lashbrook after Tiago Splitter accepted the Bulls’ coaching job. But recent reports suggest Portland is continuing to evaluate additional candidates.

Meanwhile, Knicks coach Mike Brown recently offered a strong endorsement of Jent’s candidacy.

“There are a lot of jobs open out there,” Brown said. “Chris Jent, my associate head coach, I’m surprised has not gotten an interview.”

Brown went on to describe Jent as New York’s offensive coordinator and credited him for helping guide the Knicks to a championship.

Whether Portland ultimately turns to Jent remains to be seen.

But after years of working behind the scenes, the longtime assistant appears to be receiving serious consideration for one of the NBA’s remaining coaching vacancies.

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