Blazers’ coaching situation remains in flux amid cost questions

The Trail Blazers held exit interviews Thursday, but there’s still no clarity on what’s next for interim coach Tiago Splitter.

According to NBA reporter Evan Sidery, Portland is “widely expected” to move on from Splitter. That seems to be the belief around the league.

Inside the organization, though, nothing has been announced. Splitter said before Game 5 that he has not been told anything about his future.

From there, the situation gets a little murkier.

Reporting from Jason Quick of The Athletic suggests finances are part of the equation under new owner Tom Dundon. There has been chatter that the Blazers are targeting candidates who would come at a lower salary.

A team source pushed back on the idea of a firm $1–1.5 million range, saying the goal remains to find the best coach.

The process has also drawn attention. League sources told The Athletic that reaching out to outside candidates before the job officially opens is generally frowned upon, and one described the situation as “vicious” given how often new names have surfaced.

All of this follows the October arrest of Chauncey Billups in a federal investigation tied to alleged illegal gambling involving high-stakes poker games.

Splitter stepped in and went 42-40, leading Portland back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.