The Portland Trail Blazers are turning to longtime assistant Micah Nori to run the show on their sideline, with league sources telling ESPN on Tuesday that he will become the franchise's next head coach. Nori is set to take over after a wide-ranging search that stretched across the offseason and produced several finalists. At the time the reports surfaced, the Blazers had not yet gone public with the hire or released any details on the agreement.
According to KPTV, Nori has agreed to a multiyear deal with Portland. The station reports that the team has not released contract specifics and that an official announcement is still pending. KPTV notes that Nori steps in for interim coach Tiago Splitter, who left earlier this month for a job in Chicago.
Micah Nori's Background
Nori has been a fixture on the Minnesota Timberwolves' bench and is listed as a lead assistant under Chris Finch, according to the team's official roster information. NBA.com includes Nori among Minnesota's assistants, and long-form coverage has traced his path through assistant roles with the Raptors, Kings, Nuggets, and Pistons dating back to 2009. Outlets such as Sports Illustrated have described him as a well-regarded player-development specialist and a regular presence in this coaching cycle's interviews.
What the Hire Means and What Comes Next
Portland's push for a permanent head coach picked up speed after Splitter's departure, a move that drew attention from both national outlets and local beat writers. The Bulls' decision to bring Splitter to Chicago was covered by CBS News, while reporting on the Blazers' side has focused on owner Tom Dundon's active role in the process. Earlier this month, HoopsRumors laid out a shortlist of finalists that included Nori.
With Nori now chosen, the Blazers are expected to formalize the hire, fill out a coaching staff, and pivot to summer preparation and training camp. The move gives Portland a coach known for working with young players, and attention will quickly shift to how he steers the Blazers' backcourt and shapes the current core. This story will be updated once the team issues an official release and Nori addresses the hire publicly.
