The Portland Trail Blazers recruited Chauncey Billups as their new coach.
Billups, a five-time NBA All-Star over a 17-year playing career, has never served as head coach. For the past season he was an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers.
“Portland is a special place and a unique franchise,” Billups said in a statement Sunday night. “As a player I always loved playing there because the passion and knowledge of the fans forced me to give it my all as a competitor. Now I can’t wait to be on the other side of that energy and engage with the Portland community on a totally different level. ”
The Trail Blazers have scheduled a press conference for Tuesday where they will officially introduce Billups, 44, as the franchise’s 15th head coach.
“Chauncey is a proven leader with elite basketball knowledge and has won wherever he has been,” said Neil Olshey, Portland president of athletic operations. “He is up for the challenge of developing the champion habits and strategic focus we need to meet the expectations and goals of our franchise.”
The Trail Blazers also showed interest in Brooklyn Nets assistant coach Mike D’Antoni, as well as San Antonio Spurs assistant Becky Hammon.
Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jason Kidd deleted his name from the roster after Trail Blazers star point guard Damian Lillard was reported to have promoted his candidacy for the job.
Throughout his career, Billups played for Boston, Toronto, Denver, Minnesota, Detroit, New York, and the Clippers. He was voted Most Valuable Player of the 2004 NBA Finals with the champions Pistons.
The Trail Blazers fired coach Terry Stotts shortly after the team was eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.
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