Jason Kidd withdraws his name from Portland Trail Blazers coaching race

Not long after the Portland Trail Blazers announced they parted ways with Terry Stotts, Damian Lillard endorsed Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jason Kidd to be the next coach.

”Jason Kidd is the guy I want,” Lillard told Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports Friday night.

It has now been announced, Kidd has withdrawn his name from consideration for Portland’s head coaching vacancy.

”Portland’s a first-class organization and will have great candidates…but I’ve decided not to be one of them,” Kidd said via ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

So why has Kidd withdrawn his name, especially with Lillard endorsing him? Wojnarowski reported, Lillard’s “Jason Kidd is the guy I want” left Kidd feeling he would put both Lillard and Portland’s process in an awkward circumstance should he pursue the opening.

”Whoever they choose will have big shoes to fill from Terry (Stotts)” Kidd said via ESPN and Wojnarowski.

Is there really another reasoning behind Kidd’s decision? Could he be more interested in another team’s opening instead? CBS Sports is reporting, Kidd is expected to interview with the Boston Celtics, who promoted coach Brad Stevens to head of basketball operations after, Danny Ainge, who previously held the position announced his retirement last week. CBS Sports also reported, the Orlando Magic may have some interest in Kidd, after they parted ways with Steve Clifford Saturday. The New York Post’s Peter Vescey Tweeted, “Why would Jason Kidd rapidly remove his name from ‘consideration’ you ask? A Portland person in the know submits it’s because he knew Chauncey Billups is a living lock to get the job.”

Whatever the real reasonings for Kidd’s withdrawing his name from Portland’s search, the Blazers have plenty of options to choose from, including Lillard’s other choice, Clippers assistant Billups. Perhaps the Blazers could make history and name Spurs assistant Becky Hammon coach, making her the NBA’s first female head coach.

We may know in the coming months, or weeks which direction the Blazers decide to go. Perhaps what Vescey said is true and his “Portland person” is a reliable source and knows something.