New NBA Rumors Reveal Finalist for Blazers HC Job Amid Tiago Splitter Buzz

The Portland Trail Blazers are reportedly interested in a headlining veteran as they search for their next head coach after Tiago Splitter served as the interim this past season.

NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Thursday the Trail Blazers requested permission to interview Los Angeles Clippers assistant Jeff Van Gundy. Haynes noted Van Gundy "has emerged as one of the finalists" for the position.

Splitter went 42-39 in the interim role and led the Trail Blazers to the playoffs, where they lost in the first round to the San Antonio Spurs.

On Tuesday, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported "after initial pessimism regarding Splitter's chances of becoming [Chauncey] Billups' full-time replacement, there were whispers circulating Monday that it can no longer be ruled out."

Trail Blazers-Spurs Highlights

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Still, the possibility of bringing in a coach as experienced as Van Gundy may change the calculus.

Van Gundy was the head coach of the New York Knicks from the 1995-96 campaign until the 2001-02 one and then became the head coach of the Houston Rockets for four seasons from 2003-04 through 2006-07.

He is 430-318 overall with nine playoff appearances.

The Knicks reached the 1999 NBA Finals under his guidance, and he also has experience as an assistant for the Eastern Conference team. Most recently, he has been on the Clippers' staff the past two seasons.

Portland has a talented young core with Deni Avdija and Scoot Henderson leading the way. What's more, franchise legend Damian Lillard figures to return next season after missing the 2025-26 campaign as he recovered from an Achilles injury.

The Trail Blazers are surely intriguing to coaching candidates, and Van Gundy could be the veteran leader to lead the way as they look to establish themselves as contenders in the Western Conference.