The Portland Trail Blazers could move on from Tiago Splitter after the season. They are set to at least explore alternative head coaching options under new owner Tom Dundon. However, the Blazers' indecision regarding Splitter has already cost them the perfect coaching replacement. Former NBA champion Michael Malone has become the head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels.
We wanted Malone to take over as the long-term head coaching solution for Portland, giving them much-needed experience since Chauncey Billups' shocking departure just one game into the season amid federal indictments. But unfortunately, the Blazers' season hasn't even ended, and top options are already coming off the board. That's why there should've been a sense of urgency regarding Portland's head coaching search.
Blazers should've moved faster to replace Tiago Splitter
They could've gotten ahead of the inevitable coaching carousel by proactively moving on from Splitter. Now, Portland likely finds itself competing with a handful of other teams for a coaching pool that's already starting to dwindle.
For instance, ex-Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins is another top option Portland should pursue to replace Splitter. There's already been talk of the Milwaukee Bucks having interest in Jenkins. He was named a "likely prime candidate" should Milwaukee move on from Doc Rivers over the summer, NBA insider Marc Stein reported on The Stein Line.
It remains to be seen if Dundon will ultimately move on from Splitter. To his credit, Splitter has been serviceable after being thrown into the fire. All things considered, Portland has exceeded expectations this season, especially after overcoming so much adversity with one injury after another.
But Dundon has already made one thing clear: he wants to win.
Hovering around .500 isn't quite what Dundon has in mind for this team, and it wouldn't be surprising if he decides to shake things up in the offseason. A head coach like Malone or Jenkins, with more experience, could prove beneficial for this young Blazers roster as they look to return to the postseason. There have been a few games this season when Splitter's growing pains were on display, with late-game execution being a frustrating, recurring problem. With the margin for error so thin in the Western Conference, Splitter's inexperience could be the difference between whether or not they find themselves in the lottery yet again.
If Dundon does decide to replace Splitter, one thing Portland has in its favor is the appeal of joining an up-and-coming roster. Sometimes, coaches find themselves on the hot seat because they are simply the fall guy for a lackluster roster. That's not the case for the Blazers, and it could still give them an advantage in the coaching search this summer.
They'll need it, as options are already starting to dwindle due to their hesitation to move on from Splitter.