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As league sources said on Monday, the Trail Blazers have cast a net so wide that the list of candidates could be almost 20 coaches long and, in the end, will consist of names procured by both Dundon and general manager Joe Cronin. What’s more, league sources say, there is no clear messaging as of yet about a possible timeline on the hiring. And while Dundon has pushed back on the notion that he’s cutting corners as a matter of what he believes is good business, the proof will be in the paycheck.
Even if the Blazers go with a coach with no previous head-coaching experience, it shouldn’t be tough to top what is believed to be the lowest head-coaching salary in the league, that of the Sacramento Kings’ Doug Christie ($2 million annually).
Before the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, the league was wrapped up in multiple controversies. For one, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups were among those arrested for alleged involvement in gambling schemes. But in September, reporting from "Pablo Torre Finds Out" also revealed another scandal: potential cap circumvention by the Los Angeles Clippers involving Kawhi Leonard. Pablo Torre, a journalist and podcaster also previously known for his time at ESPN, revealed the details of the potential cap circumvention involving the company Aspiration — and now, the team at "Pablo Torre Finds Out" is being rewarded for that story with the most prestigious honor in journalism, a Pulitzer Prize.
Word is that Portland fully expects Lillard to return next season from the Achilles tear he sustained in April 2025 to potentially join Jrue Holiday in its starting backcourt... With Henderson in the mix as well. How all the pieces fit together remains to be seen, but it's likewise expected that the Blazers will field plenty of external trade interest in Holiday in coming weeks and months.
…When it comes to Dundon's first NBA offseason in charge, I've heard from multiple league sources that the Blazers are expected to emerge as a prime trade suitor for Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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Yet sources have insisted this week that the Blazers are as interested in actually trying to land Antetokounmpo for themselves as other frequently mentioned suitors such as Miami, Minnesota, Golden State and New York. I'm also that Portland engaged in trade talks with Milwaukee as recently as the Tuesday before the league's annual in-season trade deadline (which always falls on a Thursday) before various interested teams finally conceded that the Bucks were not truly willing to part with Antetokounmpo even as they were already spiraling to a 32-50 finish.
I've heard that same trade sentiment floating around the league ahead of potential contract extension talks this summer and I've likewise been advised by sources close to the situation to regard Portland as a potential Davis suitor should it fall short in its Antetokounmpo pursuit.
Legion Hoops: Dame is already back dunking and doing windmills. 🤯 He ruptured his Achilles exactly one year and 6 days ago… insane.
Dame is already back dunking and doing windmills. 🤯
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 2, 2026
He ruptured his Achilles exactly one year and 6 days ago… insane. pic.twitter.com/A2oyrrusRJ
After weeks of scrutiny, Tom Dundon is opening up his checkbook. Just not necessarily for the Portland Trail Blazers. On Friday, Pickleball Inc. announced that it has received a $225 million structured investment. Although Apollo Sports Capital led the funding, a source familiar with the matters tells Front Office Sports that Dundon contributed to the $225 million total.
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Tiago Splitter took over as interim head coach in October after Chauncey Billups was arrested as part of a federal investigation into illegal gambling activities. In Billups’ absence, Splitter coached the Trail Blazers to a 42-40 record and the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2021. While Splitter remains a candidate for the full-time job, the franchise opened its search before the season ended, a practice that is frowned upon league-wide. “The amount of disrespect (toward Splitter) that’s going on is beyond description,” a league source told Quick. “It’s like, every day, a new name is coming up. It’s the most vicious thing I’ve encountered in 30-plus years.”
Sean Highkin: Scoot on his fit with Dame: "I've been playing off the ball more. It'll be special to see how that pans out. Dame was one of my favorite players growing up. I used to play 2K and have 50 or 60 with him. It'll be special for Rip City to see that."
Sean Highkin: Scoot Henderson on Tiago Splitter: "He was amazing. Having to be put in that role and lead a team to the playoffs, it was special that a former player took that role and didn't second-guess it. He stepped up and put his chest out."
