The Portland Trail Blazers will enter the 2026-27 season with their third head coach in two years. Who they choose might very well prove to be their most important decision this offseason — which is why the Blazers should have Tyler Lashbrook as the frontrunner in their coaching search that is now reportedly down to two candidates.
It might seem counterintuitive to say that Lashbrook would be the right man for the job. In some ways, Micah Nori should be the logical option.
The Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach has been in the industry since 2009. He also helped the Wolves reach five straight playoffs, two of which included conference finals appearances. A look at his resume should probably make him the obvious pick.
Learning from history
It's hard to overlook Lashbrook, though, even if he isn't as well-known as Nori. The 34-year-old has just finished his second season as an assistant coach, after serving in a player development role with the Philadelphia 76ers from 2018 to 2023. The Boston Celtics hired him to serve in a similar capacity three years ago.
He was promoted in 2024 and tabbed as the head coach of Boston's G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics, for one season. So, some Blazers fans might view Lashbrook as too young and inexperienced to be possibly one of Portland's most consequential additions this summer. He isn't even a senior member of the Celtics' coaching staff.
However, there have been instances of seemingly novice coaches doing unexpectedly well in their first years manning the sidelines.
The Blazers don't have to look far, as Tiago Splitter is a perfect example. Former head coach Chauncey Billups' sudden departure last year thrust Splitter into the spotlight after he began his coaching career in 2019. As the interim head coach, he helped the team make the playoffs for the first time in five years and oversaw Deni Avdija's evolution into an All-Star cornerstone.
Portland may also find some inspiration from the story of another former Celtics assistant coach who has become a hot commodity in the league: Charles Lee. He became one of the league's youngest head coaches when the Charlotte Hornets plucked him from Boston in 2024. And in just his second year, he was able to transform one of the NBA's previous laughingstocks into a legitimate postseason contender.
The Jaylen Brown connection
There's no doubt that hiring Lashbrook would be an incredibly massive risk for the Blazers. But would going for Nori be any different? After all, there must be a reason the 52-year-old coach has yet to receive a head-coaching offer despite being a name to watch on the coaching carousel for several summers.
In addition, rumors of the Blazers' interest in Jaylen Brown have been floating around. If they do intend to pursue the Celtics star, bringing in someone familiar could be beneficial for everyone involved.
It remains to be seen what the Blazers end up doing. Hopefully, though, the new ownership led by Tom Dundon will treat it seriously and with urgency, especially now that the other team he owns, the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL, has already secured the championship.
It's also worth noting that Dundon said back in 2020 that he was "more likely to give someone a chance that has the talent but maybe doesn't have the resume, than paying for the resume." So, he shouldn't have a problem with Lashbrook joining Rip City.
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