Latest Blazers Rumors on Jason Kidd, New HC Candidates Emerging amid Tiago Splitter Contract Buzz

As the Portland Trail Blazers search for a permanent answer at head coach, Jason Kidd reportedly has emerged as a potential candidate.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.com, Kidd has been "quietly connected" to the Blazers within league circles, but he is far from the only coach on Portland's radar.

Interim head coach Tiago Splitter reportedly is expected to be a finalist for the full-time job, plus the Blazers have reportedly interviewed Denver Nuggets assistant Jared Dudley, Houston Rockets assistant Ben Sullivan and Atlanta Hawks assistant Bryan Bailey.

Per Scotto, several other candidates have been "part of the process" for Portland as well, including former Blazers, Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks head coach Terry Stotts, former New York Knicks and Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy, Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Utah Jazz assistant Mike Williams, Los Angeles Lakers assistant Greg St. Jean, Golden State Warriors assistant Jerry Stackhouse and Boston Celtics assistant Tyler Lashbrook.

A Hall of Fame point guard, Kidd has also spent 10 seasons as an NBA head coach with the Brooklyn Nets, Bucks and Dallas Mavericks.

The 53-year-old Kidd owns a career record of 388-395 as a coach with five playoff appearances. That includes a trip to the NBA Finals with the Mavs in 2024.

Kidd and the Mavs parted ways this week after going 26-56 this season and missing the playoffs in each of the past two campaigns.

According to Scotto, Blazers governor Tom Dundon has cut costs and is expected to have the lowest-paid head coach in the NBA, which doesn't necessarily lend itself to Kidd being a leading candidate since he had four years and more than $40 million left on his deal with the Mavs, per ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

Splitter took over the Blazers' interim head coach in October after Chauncey Billups was arrested as part of a federal investigation into rigged poker games, per ESPN's David Purdum.

With Splitter at the helm, the Blazers went 42-39, and they reached the playoffs as the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference, losing 4-1 to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round.

In addition to being a candidate to have the interim tag removed in Portland, Splitter is a candidate for the Chicago Bulls' head coaching job, per Scotto.

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported last month that Splitter and the Blazers held talks about a long-term contract and an elevation to full-time head coach during the season, but the contract Splitter was offered was "far below a standard NBA head coaching salary."