The Portland Trail Blazers have added another name to their head coaching search, with Boston Celtics assistant Tyler Lashbrook advancing to an in-person interview for the job.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported Friday that “there’s a lot to untangle” in Portland’s “winding process,” and sources said Lashbrook has moved forward in the search as the franchise continues to weigh several options.
Lashbrook’s interview comes as the Trail Blazers keep building a wide candidate pool. Chicago-linked Jerry Stackhouse is set to interview in Portland this weekend, while Jeff Van Gundy, interim coach Tiago Splitter and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori also remain part of the conversation.
That mix says a lot about where Portland is headed. The Blazers are not looking for a one-size-fits-all hire; they are trying to find the right balance of experience, structure and player development for a roster that still has room to grow.
Portland finished 42-40 this season, reached the Play-In Tournament and then lost to the San Antonio Spurs in five games, a result that reinforced how much the next coach will matter. The team’s young core, including Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan, makes developmental fit just as important as game-night strategy.
Lashbrook’s rise in the process also fits the direction of the search. The Celtics assistant joins a list of candidates that includes coaches with veteran head-coaching experience, internal familiarity and development backgrounds, giving Portland a chance to compare different approaches before making a final decision.
Van Gundy brings a defense-first résumé from previous head coaching stops with the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets. Splitter offers familiarity after serving as interim coach, while Nori has earned a strong reputation on Minnesota’s bench.
Stackhouse adds another layer after spending the past two seasons on Steve Kerr’s staff with the Golden State Warriors and five seasons before that as head coach at Vanderbilt. His background gives Portland yet another possible path as it evaluates how it wants to shape the next phase of the franchise.
Lashbrook’s advancement suggests the Trail Blazers are still keeping every lane open as they search for the best fit. The process remains fluid, but the picture is becoming clearer: Portland wants a coach who can build, teach and grow with the roster already in place.
