Blazers rumors: Tiago Splitter still in head coaching mix among 4 other known candidates

With the question around whether Tiago Splitter remains a candidate for the Portland Trail Blazers‘ permanent head coaching gig, the latest reporting gives an answer to the quandary. As rumors will surround the Trail Blazers and the head coach opening, this NBA insider reveals that Splitter is on the team’s radar.

After Chauncey Billups was arrested by the federal government for allegations of involvement in illegal gambling, Splitter became the interim head coach and was lauded for how he exceeded expectations in Portland. While there had been drama with the team and Splitter regarding a contract, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reports that Splitter becoming the permanent replacement “can no longer be ruled out.”

“Would Portland grant permission for Splitter to be interviewed if Chicago indeed asks? It’s unclear at this juncture. After initial pessimism regarding Splitter’s chances of becoming Billups’ full-time replacement, there were whispers circulating Monday that it can no longer be ruled out,” Fischer wrote.

Tiago Splitter “remains a candidate” for the Trail Blazers

While the Blazers look for their next head coach, Splitter’s name has to be at least on the radar for how he turned around what could’ve been a deflating moment with Billups, and led the team to a postseason berth. Fischer spoke about how it’s “believed he remains a candidate for the full-time post,” along with other assistant coaches he lists.

“He commanded real respect from various counterparts on opposing coaching staffs for how he handled such a challenging season,” Fischer wrote. “Along with various assistant coaches we’ve reported on like Nori, Jared Dudley (Nuggets), Greg St. Jean (Lakers), and Brooklyn’s Steve Hetzel, who was a finalist for the New Orleans job that went to Mosley.”

Portland is expected to “ramp up their search in the wake of last week’s NBA Draft Combine” as the team finished this past season with a 42-40 record, finishing seventh in the Western Conference. The team would get in the postseason after beating the Phoenix Suns in the play-in tournament, though the team lost to the No. 2-seeded San Antonio Spurs in five games in the playoffs.

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