After a fourth first-round exit in five seasons, the Portland Trail Blazers and Head Coach Terry Stotts have agreed to mutually part ways.
The disappointing first-round loss to the Denver Nuggets was ultimately the final straw. Stotts was the second-winningest coach in franchise history after nine seasons with the team, but the lack of defensive systems coupled with another first-round exit, sealed his fate.
As per usual, NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski had the news. Interestingly, it said that the parting was mutual, even though Stotts himself had said in a press conference after the series loss that he wasn’t worried about his job security as he had two seasons to run on his deal still.
Stotts leaves as second winningest coach in franchise history, including eight consecutive playoff appearances – longest streak in league. Stotts is the only head coach Damian Lillard has had in NBA. https://t.co/BC53zPjMvz
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 5, 2021
Among candidates expected to be considered for the Blazers opening, sources tell ESPN: Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups, Jeff Van Gundy, Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni, and Michigan’s Juwan Howard.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 5, 2021
Stotts crowning glory was the 2019 Western Conference Finals run, but he could not replicate something similar this season in a weakened Western Conference. The Blazers had arguably their best team in five seasons, but their 29th-ranked defense got shredded by Nikola Jokic in the playoffs, leading to a four games to two loss.
Interestingly, after Woj named four potential candidates in Chauncey Billups, Juwan Howard, Jeff Van Gundy, and Mike D’Antoni, fellow NBA Insider, Yahoo’s Chris Haynes had an interesting tweet.
Source: Damian Lillard to have major input on the next head coach. Stotts was the only coach he’s played for in his nine seasons in the league. After the way the season ended, it was time for a change. https://t.co/opzDtX7LP3
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 5, 2021
Haynes has always been locked into Lillard’s camp, so this is great to see. Dame can’t afford to waste another year of his prime, so signing off on the next coach helps keep him happy in an off-season that may see a major change.
Kidd is an interesting choice for Dame’s pick after his exit from the Milwaukee Bucks, and then his unpopularity among some fanbases due to assault charges and a history of domestic abuse. He can coach, but no teams with vacancies have recently hired him as their head coach.
It is assumed that the coaching search will begin right away.