The Portland Trail Blazers have announced that Chauncey Billups will be coaching the team for another season, according to general manager Joe Cronin. Despite speculation about his job security following the departure of several assistant coaches, including his brother Rodney and former NBA head coach Scott Brooks, Cronin expressed confidence in Billups during their exit interview.
While the team has struggled with a record of 81-165 since Billups took over, including a 21-61 season, it is not solely due to Billups’ leadership. The team faced significant injuries while Damian Lillard was on the roster and is currently in a full rebuild mode with younger players like Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson.
Questions have arisen about whether Billups is the right person to oversee the Trail Blazers’ rebuilding process. Cronin’s reluctance to offer Billups a contract extension has left him in a limbo situation, which has prompted other teams to part ways with their coaches as well. Teams like Charlotte, Washington, and the Los Angeles Lakers are currently searching for head coaches. Rumors suggest that Frank Vogel’s job in Phoenix may be in jeopardy.
Billups will need to consider whether he wants to join a rebuilding team like the Hornets or Wizards or take on the challenge of leading a team with high expectations, such as the Lakers or potentially the Suns if their head coaching position becomes available. If he chooses to leave Portland, multiple other teams are interested in hiring him, as reported by Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated.