The Portland Trail Blazers have exceeded expectations this season from a win-loss standpoint with a 25-33 (.431) record. Credit Chauncey Billups for turning this season around, but their improved play shouldn't change the Blazers' original plan.
By all indications, the 2024-25 season is still expected to be Billups' last in Portland, as both sides seem headed for a mutual parting. The Blazers have a team option for Billups' next season, but it seems unlikely that they will pick it up, especially considering former GM Neil Olshey hired Billups.
As Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report recently wrote, "All signs have pointed for a while to Chauncey Billups being on his way out at the end of this season."
If Billups isn't the Blazers' coach next season, who will be? It's too early to tell, but not too early to start considering replacements. And one potential candidate, in particular, makes a lot of sense.
Jeff Van Gundy should be the Trail Blazers' next coach
Chris Vernon and David Jacoby discussed a variety of topics on The Mismatch podcast, one of which included potential coaching changes. Jacoby brought up a name that is well-known in the NBA world: Los Angeles Clippers' lead assistant coach, Jeff Van Gundy.
"They don't now, but they will soon see Jeff Van Gundy make a major difference as a head coach next season," Jacoby said. "Quietly the defensive coordinator of the Clippers, who no one had circled as a top defense in the league."
He then listed several teams that could be searching for a new head coach, including Portland. "There's a couple of spots. The Pelicans, Jazz, Blazers, Bulls, Sixers are all teams that might be looking for a new head coach."
Of these teams, Rip City stands out as one that would be an ideal fit for Van Gundy's skillset. As Jacoby mentions, Van Gundy turned the Clippers defense around in just one season. They have the third-best defensive rating in the league this season after finishing 16th last year. That's especially impressive considering the Clippers revolve around the offensive-minded Harden.
The Clippers have some solid defenders, including Kawhi Leonard, Derrick Jones Jr., Kris Dunn, and Ivica Zubac. But the Blazers arguably offer more defensive upside. They have better defensive anchors/rim protectors in Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III.
Van Gundy is also one of the most creative minds in basketball. He'd find a way to utilize the Blazers' strengths as the tallest roster in the NBA that has versatile defenders who can guard multiple positions.
In addition to the great fit, Van Gundy's coaching resume speaks for itself. He has 18 years of coaching experience, including stints with Team USA. He has a 430-318 overall record (.575) as an NBA head coach, spending seven seasons with the Knicks (1995-2002) and four seasons with the Rockets (2003-07).
He's also made the playoffs in nine of his ten full seasons as head coach. The Blazers may not make the play-in tournament this season, but they are much closer to that being a reality than many expected going into this season. They need a new coach to help them get over the hump to make the playoffs in the coming seasons, and Van Gundy has already proven he can do it.