Jeff Van Gundy reportedly finalist for Trail Blazers' head-coach opening with Tiago Splitter, Micah Nori
Van Gundy was last an NBA head coach in 2007, but i the most experienced candidate for the Blazers
Longtime NBA head coach and current Los Angeles Clippers assistant Jeff Van Gundy is one of two finalists for the Portland Trail Blazers’ opening, according to reports. Van Gundy, 64, has been on Tyronn Lue’s staff with the Clippers for the past two seasons after a brief turn with the Boston Celtics as a consultant in basketball operations and 16-year broadcasting stint with ESPN as the network’s top color analyst. The Trail Blazers formally requested permission from the Clippers to interview Van Gundy for their opening, NBA insider Chris Haynes reported .
Van Gundy is believed to be a finalist for the position along with current interim coach Tiago Splitter and Minnesota Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, according to reporter Marc Stein . Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournament Either JVG is a purposeful leak to make it look like Dundon isn't only looking at bargain options or he's finally gotten the message on what you actually have to pay a head coach in the NBA. Guess we'll find out.
Would certainly be interesting. Hasn't been a HC in 19 years. — Sean Highkin (@highkin) May 21, 2026 In 11 seasons as an NBA head coach with the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets, Van Gundy compiled a 430-318 record and a 44-44 mark in the postseason.
His teams made the playoffs in nine of those 11 seasons with the 1998-99 Knicks going to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the San Antonio Spurs in five games. Splitter, 41, coached Portland to a 42-39 record and playoff berth as the Western Conference’s No. 8 seed after taking over for Chauncey Billups, who was arrested for alleged involvement in a gambling operation investigated by the FBI.