Becky Hammon and Chauncey Billups are moving on to the next stage of the Portland Trail Blazers' coaching search, but according to reports, they are not the only finalists for the job.
As Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN cited, Brooklyn Nets assistant and former Houston Rockets tactician Mike D'Antoni is still on the Blazers' radar for their head coaching vacancy.
This goes in line with another report from Dwight Jaynes of NBC Sports Northwest, highlighting that the two are not the only finalists and that general manager Neil Olshey might even have a secret candidate for the position.
While two candidates have been widely known as finalists for the Trail Blazers’ coaching job, NBA sources confirm they are not the only finalists. And knowing Neil Olshey, there may be a secret candidate out there who will surprise us all by getting the job.
— Dwight Jaynes (@dwightjaynes) June 22, 2021
For what it's worth, Blazers superstar Damian Lillard previously endorsed Jason Kidd and Chauncey Billups. However, Kidd has since taken his name out of the running, emphasizing the awkward position he was put in when Dame endorsed him.
There are also talks that some in the Blazers would like to hire Becky Hammon already and make her the first official female head coach in the NBA. Nonetheless, everything is all rumors and speculations right now.
The Blazers are expected to take their time in finding their next head coach, especially since it will be critical in the future of Lillard in Portland. Dame has been in several trade talks already following their first-round exit, and there is belief that he could request for a trade if he doesn't like the direction the franchise is going–which starts with their coaching hire.
It is already brewing to be a big offseason for Portland, and several changes are expected to come in the franchise following their head coaching hunt.
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