Jeff Van Gundy has crashed the final stage of the Portland Trail Blazers' head coaching search, with league sources saying the team has requested permission to meet with the veteran assistant. His late surge into the mix spices up a hunt that has already featured a long list of assistants and now leaves interim coach Tiago Splitter waiting to see if his breakout season was enough to keep the job.
Blazers Request Sit-Down With Van Gundy
According to KGW, league reporter Chris Haynes reported that the Trail Blazers formally asked the Los Angeles Clippers for permission to interview Van Gundy after he "emerged as one of the finalists" in the franchise's coaching search. The request reportedly comes on the heels of a wide-ranging process that has already included multiple internal options and outside voices.
Van Gundy’s Resume And How He Fits In Portland
Jeff Van Gundy, 64, owns 11 seasons of NBA head coaching experience with the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets, compiling a 430-318 regular-season record and a 44-44 playoff mark, according to Basketball-Reference. After years working as a television analyst, he returned to the bench in 2024 as Tyronn Lue's lead assistant with the Los Angeles Clippers, as reported by ESPN. His resume, which includes a 1999 Finals trip with the Knicks and a long career around NBA benches, would bring Portland a seasoned, defense-minded presence if the team ultimately hands him the job.
Who Else Is In The Mix
Portland has already interviewed Nuggets assistant Jared Dudley and Rockets assistant Ben Sullivan, according to HoopsRumors, and reporting has linked the Blazers to a wider slate of assistants and smaller-school head coaches. Multiple outlets have also noted that the Blazers contacted high-profile veterans Tom Thibodeau and Michael Malone, who declined to engage, per NBC Sports. The mix of former head coaches and first-timers reflects a search that has been described as thorough and, in some corners, budget-conscious.
Splitter’s Breakthrough Season And The Ownership Backdrop
Interim coach Tiago Splitter led Portland to a 42-40 regular-season record and the franchise's first playoff berth since 2021, yet his long-term role remains unsettled as new owner Tom Dundon evaluates the position, according to OPB. The sale of the team to Dundon was finalized in late March, KPTV reported, and some coverage has suggested the new regime is leaning toward a cost-conscious approach to the hire, per Sporting News. The resulting tension, between a coach who pushed an undermanned roster into the postseason and an ownership group focused on financial discipline, sits squarely at the heart of Portland's decision.
What Comes Next In Rip City
If the Clippers grant permission to speak with Van Gundy, the Blazers could move quickly to schedule a meeting as they narrow their final choices, though no interviews at this stage or hiring decision have been announced. ClutchPoints and other outlets report that the search remains active, with more twists likely to surface in the coming days.
