New Blazers Rumors on HC Search, Candidate Advancing to 'Final Pool' of Process

The Portland Trail Blazers are reportedly focusing in on some final candidates for their head coaching vacancy.

Utah Jazz assistant coach Mike Williams is in the "final pool" of candidates in consideration for the job, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported Friday.

NBA insider Jake Fischer named Boston Celtics assistant coach Tyler Lashbrook as another final candidate, and added that Golden State Warriors assistant Jerry Stackhouse will interview with the Blazers next week.

"Sources say various candidates will fly into Portland this weekend as the process continues," Fischer reported.

Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy is another finalist for the job, Haynes reported Thursday.

NBA insider Marc Stein previously reported that interim Blazers head coach Tiago Splitter and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori are also being considered in the final stages of the search.

Splitter spent most of last season at the helm in Portland after Chauncey Billups was placed on leave in October.

The Blazers finished the season 42-40 and won a play-in game against the Phoenix Suns to make their first playoff appearance in five seasons.

Splitter and the Blazers reportedly discussed an extension during the season but changed direction after the sale of the team to Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon was approved in March, per ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and The Athletic's Jason Quick.

Fischer reported Tuesday, however, that "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."

Stein previously reported that Stackhouse has also received interest from the Chicago Bulls in their own head coaching search.

Other candidates haven't yet been tied to other head coaching vacancies, including two former G League head coaches in Williams and Lashbrook. Williams is a former Washington Wizards player development coach who worked with the Jazz since 2023, while Lashbrook spent nine years with the Philadelphia 76ers before joining the Celtics in 2023.

Fischer reported earlier this month the Blazers wanted to interview more than 30 candidates for the vacancy. How the final stages of the search go this week in Portland will impact whether Dundon ultimately hires from outside the franchise or grants Splitter a shot at another year behind the Blazers bench.