Hoops Wire

Tag: Chauncey Billups

  • NBA Notes: Jrue Holiday, Blazers, Doug McDermott, Kings, Clippers

    NBA Notes: Jrue Holiday, Blazers, Doug McDermott, Kings, Clippers

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    Trail Blazers

    Jrue Holiday knows what it takes to win an NBA title. Now he’s trying to help the Trail Blazers figure out how to get into the postseason.

    The veteran guard, acquired by Portland from Boston in June, is expected to start in the backcourt alongside Shaedon Sharpe. That likely means second-year guard Scoot Henderson will come off the bench, at least early on. But Holiday believes the pairing can work.

    “Scoot is aggressive,” Holiday  said, via Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report. “How he gets to the basket is amazing. Me being able to space the floor and shoot the three is something that will help him out. Being able to play off him and knowing that Scoot is the next one up and [helping him] showcase what he can do.”

    Holiday added that he doesn’t see himself as limited to a specific role.

    “I think I play every position,” he said. “I’ve proven that and shown that throughout my career. I’m a complete basketball player. You can’t put one position on someone, the way the game is changing now. Guys who have never played point guard are coming into the league and playing point guard. I’m a good fit with anyone.”

    Holiday, 34, averaged 11.1 points and 4.3 assists in 62 games with the Celtics last season and played a pivotal role in their run to the 2024 championship. His contract was a key reason for the trade, with the Celtics offloading his $32.4 million salary for next season. Holiday is owed $104.4 million over the next three years.

    He said he’s eager to help Portland take the next step.

    “Not just help out as much as possible, but try to win,” he said. “They have a great coaching staff that have done a lot, and a Hall of Fame coach in [Chauncey Billups]. But I think as a current player who’s been through it not too long ago, as far as going through the struggle to win a championship, I still have that feeling and that itch. I’m closer to what that feeling is and how hard it is to actually win.”

    Holiday also expressed gratitude toward the Blazers for their role in his 2023 move to Boston. Portland originally acquired him from Milwaukee in the Damian Lillard deal, then quickly rerouted him to the Celtics.

    “I really appreciate what they did for me the first time around,” he said. “That really does mean a lot for me and my career.”

    Kings

    Doug McDermott has officially re-signed with the Kings, the team announced. It’s a one-year contract, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. 

    McDermott, 33, will earn $3.6 million in 2025-26, the veteran minimum for a player with 10-plus years of NBA experience. He’s heading into his 12th season and second with the Kings after arriving from San Antonio at the trade deadline in February.

    McDermott appeared in 42 games last season but played sparingly, averaging 3.5 points in 8.1 minutes while shooting 43.6 percent from beyond the arc. Though no longer a regular rotation player, he remains a respected floor-spacer and intelligent cutter who can still stretch defenses when given the chance.

    Clippers

    The Clippers have re-signed forward Jordan Miller to a two-way contract, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. The move comes just weeks after the team waived him to open a roster spot.

    L.A. confirmed the signing via The Athletic’s Law Murray.

    Miller, 24, was the 48th overall pick in the 2023 draft and played in 37 games as a last season, averaging 4.1 points in limited minutes. He’ll rejoin a two-way group that already includes Kobe Sanders and Trentyn Flowers.

    More NBA News & Rumors

  • Damian Lillard Back In Portland, But What’s The Endgame For Blazers?

    Damian Lillard Back In Portland, But What’s The Endgame For Blazers?

    Damian Lillard, NBA, Trail Blazers
    File photo

    NBA star Damian Lillard says he came back to Portland for basketball reasons.

    Not just family. Not just sentiment. Basketball.

    “When we all sat down and this idea started to move towards me signing back here, I’m going to look at the basketball situation,” Lillard told reporters Monday night, seated between Blazers GM Joe Cronin and head coach Chauncey Billups. “We play basketball and you want to win basketball games.”

    That line stood out.

    Because while Lillard’s return is rich in emotion — and great for the fans, the franchise, and frankly, the NBA — it’s fair to wonder how this actually plays out on the court. And how he sees it playing out, both during his rehab year and beyond.

    Reunion Feels Right. But Does It Fit?

    From a narrative perspective, this is perfect. Lillard gets to finish what he started. The fans get a proper goodbye. The franchise gets a little image rehab, and some stability. No more Bill Walton-level awkwardness. No Clyde Drexler “what-ifs.” Just a clean arc. A legend returns, retires as a Blazer.

    But from a basketball standpoint? It’s complicated.

    Lillard is 35. He’s recovering from a torn Achilles. He’s expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season. And this Blazers roster isn’t exactly built for a quick push back into contention.

    Deandre Ayton, once seen as a key piece, is gone after being bought out and signing with the Lakers. Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe are still considered the backcourt of the future. Veteran NBA champion Jrue Holiday was acquired from Boston. Donovan Clingan is now in the middle. Matisse Thybulle, Robert Williams III, Jerami Grant and Deni Avdija are among those in the mix. There’s promise. But no proven core. Not yet.

    What Happens When Lillard Is Ready?

    Let’s say Lillard’s rehab goes as planned. Let’s say he returns at something close to his former self by late 2026. What does that look like?

    Henderson should be further along by then. Sharpe is blossoming. Clingan, if he pans out, gives Portland something they haven’t had in years — an interior anchor with upside. But does Lillard complement that core? Lead it? Or simply orbit it, as a mentor and figurehead?

    There’s nothing wrong with a symbolic return. But Lillard kept stressing the basketball side. And that means questions about fit, timing, and direction remain fair game.

    Ending’s Been Written. But Next Chapter Hasn’t.

    In a vacuum, this move is admirable. It shows loyalty. It brings closure. And if Lillard never plays another minute, he still gave the Blazers everything he had, and more.

    But if the goal is to win, not just feel good about the reunion, Portland has work to do. The roster is young, the West is loaded, and Dame’s timeline — physically and competitively — may not line up with where this team is going.

    Still, this is what he wanted. To come home. To heal. To play, eventually.

    And now we wait to find out if the basketball reason ends up being the right one.

    More NBA News & Rumors

  • Blazers’ Chauncey Billups On Damian Lillard’s Return: ‘We Never Wanted To See Him Go’

    Blazers’ Chauncey Billups On Damian Lillard’s Return: ‘We Never Wanted To See Him Go’

    Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers, NBA
    File photo

    Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups has a very specific role for the injured Damian Lillard for the 2025-26 NBA season.

    “I told him that this year he’s going to be the highest-paid assistant coach in league history,” Billups joked to reporters, via Micahel Scotto of HoopsHype.

    Billups was speaking at a press conference to announce Lillard’s return to the franchise. While there was some awkwardness — if not outright bad blood — when Lillard requested a trade two years ago, it’s clearly over now.

    After all, Lillard agreed to a reported three-year, $42 million contract to return to the franchise that drafted him. He is expected to miss all of next season after suffering a torn Achilles in the first round of the playoffs with the Milwaukee Bucks.

    It ended an unceremonious stint for Lillard with the Bucks, who lost in the first round in each of his two seasons there. When he left the Blazers, multiple reports (and his agent) repeatedly said he would only play for the Miami Heat.

    Then, when the Bucks waived him at the start of NBA free agency, the Heat again were rumored to be a team on his radar. Instead, it’s back to Portland.

    “I think if we’re all being honest, we obviously never wanted to see him go, and even when he did, we all wanted to see him back,” Billups said.

    Lillard, 35, spent the first 11 years of his career with the Trail Blazers. He has made nine All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams. 

    Last season, he appeared in 58 games with Milwaukee, averaging 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 92.1% from the free-throw line.

    “I want to thank (GM Joe Cronin) and Chauncey, because for this to be possible we all had to be on the same page about it,” Lillard said. “Like they both said, it never felt right not being home. Through it all, I found my way back.”

    More NBA News & Rumors

  • NBA Notes: Suns, Jalen Green, Blazers, Scoot Henderson, Raptors, Brandon Ingram

    NBA Notes: Suns, Jalen Green, Blazers, Scoot Henderson, Raptors, Brandon Ingram

    Jalen Green, Rockets, NBA, Suns
    File photo

    Suns

    Suns newcomers Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks are landing in Phoenix with something to prove. And they’re not hiding it.

    Each spoke openly about the blockbuster trade that sent them from Houston to Phoenix in exchange for Kevin Durant, with both players embracing the opportunity and using it as fuel.

    “I love the trade. It gives me and Jalen an opportunity,” Brooks said, via Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic, prompting Green to quickly add, “Motivation.”

    Green admitted the trade was emotional. The Rockets selected him with the No. 2 overall pick in 2021, and he became one of the team’s cornerstones during the rebuild.

    “It hurts. Houston is home to me and forever will be home to me,” Green said. “I started my NBA career there and built a lot there… obviously it was sad to leave, but it’s a business.”

    The 22-year-old guard already has his sights set on building chemistry with Devin Booker, who recently agreed to a long-term extension to stay in Phoenix.

    “We’re two people who are going to be able to accept the double team and play off each other,” Green said. “We’re two people who know how to attract the defense, and everyone’s going to set up around us. So when we’re doing something like that, you’ve got to pick who you want to score tonight. Me and him both — it’s going to be a deadly scoring duo.”

    Brooks, meanwhile, said he always had a sense he’d land in Phoenix eventually. Back in his second season with the Grizzlies, he recalled thinking he’d been traded to the Suns before Memphis realized they had mistakenly agreed to move MarShon Brooks instead.

    Now, there’s no confusion. The Suns have a fiery perimeter pairing with something to prove.

    “I can’t wait to connect with the fans and bring that toughness, bring that urgency, and be ready for the journey,” Brooks said.

    Trail Blazers

    Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups believes second-year point guard Scoot Henderson is in for a big jump.

    Speaking with ESPN during the Summer League broadcast, Billups praised Henderson’s offseason approach and the work he’s putting in to elevate his game.

    “He had a tough year last year, only because he didn’t get to play basketball during the summer,” Billups said. “He was banged up, he was licking his wounds from the season.

    “This year he’s been playing ball all summer, he’s been working on his game. Scoot is gonna take an incredible leap this year.”

    The Blazers also see veteran Jrue Holiday as a major asset in Henderson’s development, offering leadership and defensive grit.

    “What better guy in the league could you have to raise Scoot and Shaedon Sharpe?” Billups said.

    Raptors

    Small forward Brandon Ingram hasn’t logged a minute yet with the Raptors, but he’s already buying into what the franchise is building.

    Per Josh Lewenberg of TSN, Ingram said he’s fully confident the Raptors will be in the playoff picture this coming season.

    “I think we’re making the playoffs for sure,” he said. “I think we try to build championship habits. I think what I saw in the second half of the season is, they play hard. They play really, really hard on the offensive and defensive end.”

    Ingram was acquired from the Pelicans in a multi-team deal at the trade deadline. With Toronto trending toward a younger core and strong defensive identity under coach Darko Rajakovic, Ingram is hoping to be the versatile scoring anchor the team has lacked.

  • Trail Blazers Offseason Primer: There’s Finally Direction In Portland, And It’s Not Bad

    Trail Blazers Offseason Primer: There’s Finally Direction In Portland, And It’s Not Bad

    The Portland Trail Blazers weren’t great in 2024-25 — but they were a heck of a lot better than the year before.Deni Avdija, Scoot Henderson, Trail Blazers, NBA

    After going 21-61 last season, the Blazers finished 36-46 this time around, showing clear signs of progress and potential. It wasn’t consistent, and it didn’t lead to a playoff spot. But there’s real hope in Portland for the first time since Damian Lillard left town.

    Now, GM Joe Cronin and the front office enter a defining summer: How much of this youth movement do they commit to, and what happens with veterans like Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton?

    Young Core Taking Shape

    Portland has a projected lottery pick (currently slotted at No. 9 or 10) and could add another high-upside rookie to a roster already stacked with recent draft hits.

    Scoot Henderson looked more comfortable as the year wore on, especially after the All-Star break. Shaedon Sharpe, when healthy, flashed 20-point-per-game potential. Deni Avdija became a stabilizing two-way presence. And rookie big man Donovan Clingan emerged as a defensive anchor.

    There was even a surprise surge midseason — from Jan. 19 to Feb. 6, the Blazers went 10-1 and ranked first in the NBA in defensive efficiency. For a team that was 28th on that end before the run, that stretch felt like a turning point.

    “I love what we have,” Cronin said. “I love how we’re developing. It’s been a lot of fun.”

    Coach Chauncey Billups was rewarded for that development with a multiyear contract extension.

    Veteran Clarity Needed

    Simons has led the team in scoring two straight years. Ayton quietly had a solid season. Robert Williams III is still rehabbing but remains intriguing if he can ever get/stay healthy. Matisse Thybulle played the fewest games of his career, and has a player option for next season.

    All four are in the final year of their contracts, and all four are extension-eligible.

    If Portland chooses not to extend them, the franchise could have around $70 million in cap space next summer. In other words, Cronin has real flexibility. Whether he leans into it, or locks in the current core, is one of the biggest storylines of the offseason.

    Cap Situation + Free Agency

    Portland is over the salary cap but sits $11 million below the tax line and $17 million under the first apron. They can use the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, biannual, veteran minimum, and second-round exceptions.

    Key decisions:

    • Thybulle has until June 24 to opt into his $11.5 million.
    • Rayan Rupert’s $2.2 million becomes guaranteed on July 1.
    • Duop Reath’s $2.2 million locks in on Aug. 1.

    Free agents include Dalano Banton, Rupert (team option), Thybulle (player option), and Jabari Walker, Justin Minaya, and Bryce McGowens (all restricted).

    Extension Candidates to Watch

    • Shaedon Sharpe: Despite missing much of the year, averaged 18.5 points and remains one of the most dynamic young wings in the league. Rookie extension eligible.
    • Toumani Camara: Gritty two-way wing who ranked in the 80th percentile in combined steals/blocks among all wings. The team was +36.1 per 100 possessions when he shared the floor with Simons, Avdija, and Clingan. Eligible for a four-year, $89.2M extension starting July 20 — but Portland may wait.
    • Others eligible: Simons, Ayton, Williams, Thybulle, Rupert, and Walker.

    Draft Pick + Future Assets

    • 2024 pick: No. 9 or 10 (odds of No. 1 overall = 4.5%).
    • Blazers still owe a top-14 protected first to the Bulls, protections run through 2028.
    • Future flexibility: 4 first-rounders and 5 second-rounders available to trade.
    • 2029: Owns best/worst of Boston and Milwaukee’s pick.
    • 2028 & 2030: Right to swap with Milwaukee (conditional).

    Top Offseason Priorities

    1. Decide what to do with Simons, Ayton, Thybulle, and Williams — extend, trade, or let them play it out?
    2. Add a veteran guard who can mentor Scoot.
    3. Improve perimeter shooting (Portland ranked 25th in 3-point percentage).
    4. Maximize value from the upcoming draft pick.

    Bottom Line

    There’s finally a direction in Portland. Now it’s about sticking to it — and deciding how long the vets stick around for the ride.

  • New Pelicans VP Of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars To Meet With Willie Green, GM

    New Pelicans VP Of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars To Meet With Willie Green, GM

    Hall of Famer Joe Dumars has been named executive vice president of basketball operations for the New Orleans Pelicans, and he will now meet with coach Willie Green and general manager Bryson Graham to plot the team’s future, per NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN.Joe Dumars, Pistons, Pelicans, NBA

    Dumars, 61, returns to his home state of Louisiana after a decorated career as both a player and executive. He replaces David Griffin as the lead decision-maker for the Pelicans’ basketball operations. Griffin was fired Monday.

    “Joe’s achievements as a renowned Hall of Fame player, NBA champion and front office executive are indisputable,” Pelicans owner Gayle Benson said in a statement. “His vast experience and relationships throughout the NBA, along with his strong leadership qualities, will have a tremendous impact on our organization and our goal of winning an NBA championship.”

    A two-time NBA champion as a player and 2004 title-winning executive with the Detroit Pistons, Dumars has spent the past three years in the league office as executive vice president of basketball operations. He previously served as chief strategy officer for the Sacramento Kings from 2019–22.

    Dumars ran the Pistons’ front office from 2000–14, earning Executive of the Year honors in 2003 and constructing a roster that delivered an NBA title in 2004. Under his leadership, Detroit reached the Eastern Conference finals six straight seasons and won 50 or more games for seven consecutive years. His key moves included acquiring Rasheed Wallace, Ben Wallace, Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups, and drafting Tayshaun Prince.

    Drafted by Detroit in 1985, Dumars played his entire 14-year NBA career with the Pistons, helping the franchise to championships in 1989 and 1990.

    “As a Louisiana native, this is truly a full circle moment,” Dumars said. “This opportunity is very special to me on a personal level. I look forward to being a part of the Pelicans organization, and building a team that proudly represents our fans on the court and in our community.”

    In New Orleans, Dumars will work closely with Graham and Green as the team looks to rebound from a 21–61 season, the fourth-worst record in the NBA. A key decision will center around the future of star forward Zion Williamson, who has appeared in just 45 percent of possible games since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2019.

    “There is a lot of talent on this roster,” Dumars said. “My vision is to build a disciplined team that is built on toughness, smart decision-making and a no-excuses mindset.”

    Green said before Griffin’s dismissal he had not spoken to the team about his future.

    “I haven’t had any discussions, any talks yet,” Green told reporters prior to Griffin’s firing. “I didn’t do great. I have to take full ownership of where we are as a team. We failed. I failed.”

  • NBA Notes: Blazers, Deni Avdija, Wizards, Alex Sarr, Suns, Changes

    NBA Notes: Blazers, Deni Avdija, Wizards, Alex Sarr, Suns, Changes

    Trail Blazers

    There are plenty of reasons for optimism when it comes to the Trail Blazers after they signed GM Joe Cronin and coach Chauncey Billups to contract extensions.Deni Avdija, NBA, Blazers

    “For the last decade, ever since the breakup of the Wesley Matthews-Nicolas Batum duo, Portland has been searching for reliable two-way wings,” wrote Zach Kram of ESPN. “Damian Lillard‘s Blazers teams often faltered in the playoffs because they had to rely on the likes of Al-Farouq Aminu, Maurice Harkless and Allen Crabbe.”

    Things are changing in Portland, though. At least, it sure is starting to look that way.

    “But now the Trail Blazers have found their forwards of the future in Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara. It took a high price to get Avdija to Portland — Malcolm Brogdon and two first-round picks — but he has been well worth it, averaging 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists per game while adding strong defense. Camara looks like a prototypical 3-and-D prospect, and a steal for Portland, which finagled his inclusion from Phoenix in the Lillard/Deandre Ayton/Jrue Holiday blockbuster trade ahead of the 2023-24 season.”

    Wizards

    The jury is still out on Alex Sarr after the former No. 2 overall pick completed his rookie season. But signs of hope are there.

    “Sarr was the Wizards’ first top-five selection since 2013 (Otto Porter Jr.). And while the 19-year-old Sarr looked incredibly raw while taking his first NBA steps — most notably when missing all 15 shot attempts in a Summer League game — he came on much stronger as he gained experience,” Kram wrote.

    “After the All-Star break, Sarr averaged 15.6 points while assuming a tremendous offensive burden for a rookie (28% usage rate). The six highest-scoring efforts of Sarr’s season came after the break. On the defensive end, while the 7-foot Sarr allowed opponents to shoot 64% at the rim before the All-Star break, that number dropped to 58% in the second half, according to NBA Advanced Stats.”

    Suns

    It’s not easy finding a silver lining after this basketball disaster of a Suns season. 

    “Finding a silver lining in Phoenix is like searching for a needle in a haystack,” Kram wrote. “Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro looked decent as rookies? Collin Gillespie had a fun run as a fill-in point guard on a two-way deal? They managed to shed Jusuf Nurkic‘s contract?”

    Yeah, not easy to do. Now, the Suns are charged with trying to find a new coach for the fourth time in four offseasons. That’s not exactly stability.

    Now, there’s talk that Kevin Durant will undoubtedly be traded — yet again. Phoenix is instead reportedly looking to build around Devin Booker.

    Basically, this whole situation is a mess and it’s been that way since Mat Ishbia bought the franchise.

  • Blazers May Have Moved Quickly on Chauncey Billups Contract Because of Suns Speculation

    Blazers May Have Moved Quickly on Chauncey Billups Contract Because of Suns Speculation

    The Portland Trail Blazers may have moved to extend head coach Chauncey Billups in part due to speculation linking him to the Phoenix Suns’ expected head coaching search, according to NBA reporter Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report.Chauncey Billups, NBA, Portland trail Blazers

    Highkin reported on social media that he had “heard a lot of chatter” suggesting Billups could be a top target for the Suns, who fired Mike Budenholzer after one season. That buzz may have prompted the Blazers to finalize an extension with Billups before the conclusion of the regular season.

    Billups, who was hired by Portland in 2021, has guided the team through a rebuilding phase. The Blazers finished the 2024-25 campaign with the same 36-46 record as the Suns.

    Despite finishing the season with just 36 wins, the Trail Blazers extended both general manager Joe Cronin and Billups, a move that would be unusual for most teams in a similar position.

    As The Athletic’s Jason Quick reported , this season marked Portland’s best record since 2020-21, and the organization believes it has taken a meaningful step forward. Young players such as Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, and Donovan Clingan showed signs of development, while Deni Avdija delivered a breakout campaign and Toumani Camara emerged as one of the league’s top perimeter defenders.

    Cronin said the front office is shifting away from talent accumulation toward more targeted roster building.

    “As a front office, we don’t feel that pressure to take swing after swing to try and hit on the next up-and-coming guy,” Cronin said. “We are starting to feel really comfortable with our talent base that we can be more diligent about adding specific types of guys.”

    While the Blazers appear to have a solid foundation, the question of whether a true franchise player will emerge remains. Cronin and Billups expressed confidence in the roster’s long-term potential.

    “There’s a lot of talent on this roster, and I wouldn’t put ceilings on a lot of these guys,” Cronin said. “There is still a lot of time and talent that can be maximized.”

    Added Billups: “It’s true you need to have top-flight guys, but to me, we are raising that, we are growing that. I look at Oklahoma City — they traded for (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), but he wasn’t a star yet. Now he’s probably going to be the MVP. Joker (Nikola Jokic) wasn’t a star when he got to Denver. They raised him into that. (Giannis Antetokounmpo) wasn’t a star when he got to Milwaukee. They raised him into that. That’s where I think we are trying to go … Deni, Shaedon, Scoot, Ant (Anfernee Simons) … We are raising those guys.”

  • Blazers, Chauncey Billups agree to contract extension: ‘Excited to see his continued work’

    Blazers, Chauncey Billups agree to contract extension: ‘Excited to see his continued work’

    The Portland Trail Blazers have signed head coach Chauncey Billups to a multiyear contract extension, the team announced.Chauncey Billups, Cavaliers, Pistons, Trail Blazers, NBA

    The new deal keeps Billups under contract through the 2027-28 season. Portland exercised its team option for the 2025-26 campaign and added two more guaranteed years, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.

    “The core of Chauncey’s leadership is his ability to build a collaborative culture and growth mindset for our young team,” said Jody Allen, chair of the Trail Blazers. “We’re very happy to extend his contract as head coach and excited to see his continued work developing our players and transforming this team into one capable of long-term success.”

    Billups, 48, has served as Portland’s head coach since the 2021-22 season. He owns a 116-211 record across four seasons, including a 35-46 mark entering Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Lakers. The team showed signs of progress late in the year, going 22-18 since Jan. 19 and ranking among the league’s top five defenses during that span.

    His extension follows a similar multiyear agreement signed by general manager Joe Cronin last week. The two have been close friends for decades, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

    Speculation had swirled earlier this season that Billups might not return after the 2024-25 campaign, which was the final guaranteed year of his original deal. However, Portland’s strong 10-4 stretch leading into the All-Star break shifted the tone.

    “Me personally, I definitely think that I’ve done enough,” Billups told reporters when asked about his future. “But I’m also not about to petition for that. I feel like I’ve developed a ton myself, which needed to happen.”

    A former NBA champion and Finals MVP, Billups was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024. The five-time All-Star won a title with the Detroit Pistons in 2004.

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

    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?Chauncey Billups, Deni Avdija, Blazers, NBA

    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.

  • Dribbles: Cavs get defensive, stymie Blazers, set franchise mark for road wins

    Dribbles: Cavs get defensive, stymie Blazers, set franchise mark for road wins

    Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ 122-111 road win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. …Darius Garland, Cavaliers, Cavs, NBA

    1. There wasn’t really a time when you thought the Cavs might lose. But it was close for a while. Then the Cavs turned up the defense when they had to have it most.

    2. For the final 6-plus minutes, the poor Blazers couldn’t muster a single field goal. And it felt like every time the Cavs got a stop, they themselves would score a point. Or more.

    3. So after losing four straight, the Cavs (58-14) have won two in a row. Now, the longest road swing of the season is dead. But the Cavaliers are every much alive, kicking, and setting more records. This time, it’s a franchise-best 28 road wins.

    4. For some, that feat might not mean a whole lot. But I think about all the great players and teams that have called themselves Cavaliers over the past 55 years. This one will always be mentioned among them.

    5. As for the game, well, pick your basketball savior. Darius Garland was fantastic at crunch time, and actually remarkable throughout, on his way to 27 points and a game-high eight assists. Donovan Mitchell sat out to rest. Garland made sure to help overcome the absence with some flat-out dazzling play.

    6. He wasn’t alone. Ty Jerome frustrated the Blazers time and again with his typical slow-step trickery and nifty shooting (9-of-15) for 25 points in reserve. Evan Mobley went for 21 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and FOUR blocked shots.

    7. So much could be said about so many guys, though. Sam Merrill started in place of Mitchell and scored 14 points, knocking down 4-of-6 threes. Jarrett Allen added 14 points himself and grabbed several clutch rebounds on his way to eight. De’Andre Hunter scored 11.

    8. Then there was Isaac Okoro. All he did was change the course of the game via the intangibles — and mostly, his defense. Okoro was the perfect example of how everyone on the roster can make winning plays. It’s why it’s gotta be incredibly difficult to gameplan for the Cavs. They can beat you in a lot of ways.

    9. Coach Kenny Atkinson to reporters: “They were making a lot of unexpected shots, I’d say, and we turned up the defense. (Okoro) was really the guy who led that defensive charge the last six minutes.”

    10. The Blazers (32-41) probably won’t get to the postseason, but they gave it a quality run. Most people had them pegged for the NBA Draft lottery like three months ago. But they play hard and mostly smart under coach Chauncey Billups. They have a lot about which to be proud this season. Their time is coming.

    11. Portland rookie center Donovan Clingan went for 18 points and 12 boards in one of his best games of the year. Wonder if he was motivated by his former UConn Huskies getting bounced from the NCAAs over the weekend? Second-year guard Scoot Henderson added 17. (He didn’t play college ball, so no tourney info for you there.)

    12. Anyway, back to the Cavaliers. Finally, they are coming home — at least for a couple nights. They get the Spurs at Rocket Arena on Thursday. Then they have to go to Detroit on Friday to face J.B. Bickerstaff and the rising Pistons.

    13. Atkinson with the final word on the trip: “We learned a lot about ourselves. But we’re a tired group. We need to get home, get in our own bed, get in our routine.”

    14. He added that rebounding was an issue and showed that the Cavs were tired. “It seemed like even when we were (in position), they’d just jump over us and get it,” Atkinson said. “These last games on a long trip, the legs aren’t there, so you’ve just got to find a way.”

    15. Finding a way? That is the Cavs’ specialty.

  • Cavs Notes: Playoff picture, Donovan Mitchell, De’Andre Hunter, road wins

    Cavs Notes: Playoff picture, Donovan Mitchell, De’Andre Hunter, road wins

    The Cavaliers are finally wrapping up this five-game swing through the Western Conference, and yes, they could sure use a win.De'Andre Hunter, Cavaliers, Blazers, NBA

    It’s hard to imagine saying that about a team that enters Tuesday at 57-14, but the defending champion Celtics are hot on their tails. Boston is also on a West Coast swing and has won six straight and 11 of 12. Entering Tuesday, the Celtics are 4.5 games behind the Cavs for the No. 1 seed in the East.

    That said, this is hardly panic time. But you just don’t want it to get to that. With a win, the Cavs would be five games in front of the Celtics with 10 to go. A loss? Just four games.

    Again, though, it’d take quite a Cavs meltdown for the Celtics to catch them. 

    As for Tuesday’s game in Portland … well, the Trail Blazers are also fighting for the postseason. It’s a long shot, but they haven’t been eliminated from a play-in spot. Landing one would truly be among the best stories of the NBA season, as Portland was expected to tank.

    Instead, coach Chauncey Billups has made certain the Blazers have done anything but. They gave the Cavaliers all they could handle a couple of weeks ago in Cleveland, with the Cavs looking bad, then somehow winning in overtime. Either way, you can expect the Blazers to fight, scratch, and claw and try to get revenge. They are undoubtedly capable.

    • In case you missed it, the Cavs will be without leading scorer Donovan Mitchell, who’s being held out for the purpose of rest. The Cavs beat the Grizzlies without Mitchell a little over a week ago (in Memphis). They’re deep and talented enough to win Tuesday, too.
    • They will have to be better defensively than they’ve been recently, though. Opponents are getting wide-open looks from the perimeter much too frequently. Cleveland did considerably better in the second half vs. the Jazz, hence a win in blowout fashion.
    • For the record, De’Andre Hunter is who saved the Cavs in their previous game against the Blazers, scoring 18 in the fourth quarter and OT combined.
    • The Cavaliers’ 27 road wins are tied for the most in franchise history. They’ve now won at least 57 games for the sixth time. The all-time best record is 66-16, set in 2008-09. The Cavs will have to finish 10-1 to beat it.
    • More Cavaliers: All coverage from Hoops Wire
  • Shaquille O’Neal embarrasses himself by saying Chauncey Billups is head coach of Pistons

    Shaquille O’Neal embarrasses himself by saying Chauncey Billups is head coach of Pistons

    NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal embarrassed himself on Tuesday (3/11) by saying Chauncey Billups is the head coach of the Detroit Pistons. 

    Billups coaches the Portland Trail Blazers. 

    O’Neal is one of the best players in NBA history. However, he’s not up to date with today’s game. 

    A few years ago, he didn’t know that “Pascal” was Pascal Siakam‘s first name. 

    O’Neal and Charles Barkley don’t do a good job for TNT. All they do is bash today’s players. That’s not how you grow the game. 

    It also doesn’t help that O’Neal and Barkley don’t know half of the players in the league. They only talk about the big names and teams. And when they do speak about the teams and players, it’s always negative. 

    New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson had a triple-double against the Los Angeles Clippers, finishing with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. And guess what? O’Neal wasn’t impressed. 

    NBA media would be better off without O’Neal and Barkley. Unfortunately, the two NBA greats will be joining ESPN next season.  

    As NBA fans know, JB Bickerstaff coaches the Pistons, who are 37-29. They are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. 

    Detroit won only 14 games last season. Bickerstaff, who was fired by the Cleveland Cavaliers last summer, has done a terrific job with the Pistons, who would be a playoff team if the season ended today.

    Billups is also doing a good job with the Blazers, who are 28-38. They are in 12th place in the rugged Western Conference standings.  

  • Blazers On Rise, Suddenly And Fairly Surprisingly Contender For Postseason

    Blazers On Rise, Suddenly And Fairly Surprisingly Contender For Postseason

    Remarkably, the Trail Blazers may be positioning themselves for a late-season surge that could carry them into the play-in tournament. No, really. And it would be a great story in an NBA season already full of them.Chauncey Billups, Deni Avdija, Blazers, NBA

    Anyway, ESPN’s Basketball Power Index currently projects Portland to finish with 37 wins — or just one behind the Suns and two behind the Mavericks.

    Despite the injuries that have plagued Dallas, the Suns’ free fall over recent weeks, and Portland’s narrow loss in Boston on Wednesday, the Trail Blazers have impressed, going 15-7 over their past 22 games

    During that stretch, Portland has also posted the second-best defensive rating in the NBA.

    “They have their guys in the right roles now,” one Eastern Conference scout said, via Tim Bontemps of ESPN. “It’s not that they don’t believe in Shaedon Sharpe now that he’s their scorer off the bench, but that’s the best role for him right now with this current team… You go up and down the roster, and specifically with the young guys, that’s helped them a lot.”

    In an ironic twist, Portland’s surge has seen them leapfrog the Suns into a play-in spot. A key factor in the turnaround has been the play of Toumani Camara, a player initially seen as a throw-in during the trade that sent Jusuf Nurkic to Phoenix and Deandre Ayton to Portland before last season.

    Camara has become a standout on the perimeter, providing elite defense that’s been crucial to Portland’s recent success. Along with Camara’s contributions, players like Deni Avdija have also stepped up.

    But perhaps most importantly, credit has to be given to coach Chauncey Billups for the team’s development and resilience.

    “Chauncey has them playing really hard,” a Western Conference scout told Bontemps. “I keep waiting and watching for them to fall back, and they’re just not.”

    With the Blazers showing no signs of slowing down, they’re proving to be a difficult opponent as the NBA season enters its final stretch — and yes, they may have the momentum to challenge for a postseason berth.