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Portland Trail Blazers assistant David Vanterpool joins Timberwolves

ByAneesh Namburi|
PORTLAND, OR - MAY 18: Assistant Coach David Vanterpool and Head Coach Terry Stotts of the Portland Trail Blazers look on against the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the Western Conference Finals on May 18, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - MAY 18: Assistant Coach David Vanterpool and Head Coach Terry Stotts of the Portland Trail Blazers look on against the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the Western Conference Finals on May 18, 2019 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach David Vanterpool has joined the Minnesota Timberwolves staff as their associate head coach.

It appears there’s a spot opening up on the Portland Trail Blazers‘ bench heading into next season. However, it won’t be a player that is leaving.  Neil Olshey and Terry Stotts will now be forced to look for a replacement for the upcoming season in the absence of assistant coach David Vanterpool.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Vanterpool has left the Blazers in order to become the associate head coach for newly minted Timberwolves head coach Ryan Saunders.

Vanterpool interviewed for the head coaching position earlier in the year before recently hired President of Basketball Operations Gerson Rosas gave the nod to Saunders.

Vanterpool has spent the past six seasons on Portland (and Stotts) staff. Like Wojnarowski tweeted, he has been instrumental in the development of numerous players, most notably Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. His positive locker room presence quickly led to Vanterpool becoming a favorite of many Blazers.

Vanterpool has been on the team for as long as the majority of the team, so it comes as no surprise to see the team have such an emotional reaction to his departing. Filling the hole Vanterpool leaves in his wake will be no easy task, but a critical one.

Finding a capable replacement becomes all the more critical considering the proper development of Zach Collins, Anfernee Simons and Gary Trent Jr. will be vital towards Portland’s long term success. This story line will be one worth keeping your eye on as the hectic news cycle of the NBA off-season continues to spit out game-changing coaching hires and roster transactions.

Congratulations to Coach Vanterpool and his family. Rip City will miss you, but wishes you the best of luck!