J.B. Bickerstaff Calls Out Micah Nori's Blazers HC Contract as 'Slap in the Face' Amid Rumored Value

Micah Nori will have his first head-coaching opportunity in the NBA after the Portland Trail Blazers hired him to replace the departed Tiago Splitter, but his reported contract is generating headlines and negative attention.

In fact, National Basketball Coaches Association president and Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff went as far as to call it a "slap in the face to our value," per ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

"Most ownership understands that there is value in quality coaching and good coaching, and they're willing to pay for it," Bickerstaff said. "Coaching salaries have been increasing because the league understands and owners understand the value of quality coaching. So for a new guy to come in who doesn't have that understanding and to go out and chop at the knees of coaches is a slap in the face to our value."

MacMahon reported Nori's contract features just one guaranteed year and team options for the second and third years. What's more, it includes "a below-market base salary and includes incentives based on team success."

Nori was the Minnesota Timberwolves' lead assistant the last five years and has interviewed for a number of head-coaching openings. The Portland one was available after the team and Splitter went separate ways after the interim coach led the Trail Blazers to the playoffs.

Splitter is now the head coach of the Chicago Bulls, while Trail Blazers governor Tom Dundon and general manager Joe Cronin chose Nori.

"I understand his story and his journey to get to the spot where he was able to get this opportunity, and I don't want to take away from what should be a special moment for him for his family and a job that's well deserved and earned," Bickerstaff said. "That's first and foremost.

"But I feel like he was put in a situation that he shouldn't be put in with having to make a choice of this nature because of the structure of what the contract is. It's unfortunate that you have a dream, and from our perspective, it's like someone's taking advantage of your dream and devaluing what we feel like coaches have earned over the years.

"You think about the sacrifice, the time, the growth that coaches have helped and done with the NBA, and then for someone to come in and attempt to devalue the work that coaches have in this league is extremely disappointing."

MacMahon noted those sentiments were shared by "several other head coaches."

While Dundon negotiated a similar contract as the owner of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes with head coach Rod Brind'Amour in 2018, it is not the norm in the NBA.

What's more, the deal came as the Trail Blazers governor has faced criticism for cost-cutting techniques such as not traveling two-way players in the postseason. Dundon also spoke about the job with a handful of candidates before a decision was formally made with Splitter during the season.

The end result is Nori's first head-coaching opportunity comes with anything but a long-term guarantee and means he will be under plenty of pressure to win in his first season.

Portland hasn't won a playoff series since the 2018-19 campaign, although it is coming off a postseason appearance.