Tiago Splitter has stated he would like to continue coaching the Portland Trail Blazers.
However, Splitter’s future with the Blazers is not straightforward.
New Ownership Adds Complexity
The Blazers are under new ownership, and this adds another layer of complexity to Splitter’s situation. Tom Dundon is a hands-on owner. It wouldn’t be surprising if he decides to bring in a fresh face who better aligns with his vision.
Splitter’s Case for Staying On
Splitter has made a compelling case to remain in Portland beyond this year. He was thrown into the fire after Chauncey Billups’ departure, just one game into the season. With such a young roster and relatively inexperienced coach, this season easily could’ve fallen apart.
It hasn’t been perfect by any means, and Portland probably lost a few games they should’ve won due to Splitter’s growing pains, particularly when it comes to late-game execution. To his credit, Splitter turned this season around, resulting in an impressive 42-40 record. That exceeded the projected win total entering the year, despite all the unforeseen circumstances. It’s also the Blazers’ first winning season in five years.
It was a frustrating season at times, but Splitter has this team trending in the right direction. They’ve finally looked like the team that general manager Joe Cronin envisioned when constructing this roster, as the defense has taken a major step forward, contributing to that end-of-season playoff push.
Contract Extension Discussions
Portland has already held contract extension discussions with Splitter, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on The Stein Line. Dundon also continues to keep their options open, even considering coaches at the college level.
Dundon has previously stated he’d rather prioritise coaching talent over experience, as he doesn’t want to pay for the resume. That’s another factor that could work in Splitter’s favour, as he does have experience, but not quite at the NBA head-coaching level.
The Final Decision
The Blazers are trending in the right direction after their first winning season of the rebuild, which just so happens to come under Splitter. Both the roster and Splitter will continue to improve as they gain more experience, and this season has made a compelling case for not breaking that trajectory.