Chauncey Billups looks on during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Sarah Stier/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Sarah Stier / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Chauncey Billups has emerged as the leader to become the next head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, according to multiple reports on Friday night.
Billups reportedly met with chairman Jody Allen and president of basketball operations Neil Olshey in Seattle on Wednesday, ESPN reported.
The Trail Blazers are seeking a replacement for Terry Stotts. The franchise parted ways with Stotts after nine seasons.
Star guard Damian Lillard is reportedly on board with the possible hiring of Billups and has reportedly been communicating with Billups during the search process.
The 44-year-old Billups has never been a head coach. He is a first-year assistant for the Clippers, who trail the Phoenix Suns 2-1 in the best-of-seven Western Conference finals.
Billups played 17 NBA seasons and was NBA Finals MVP in 2004 when he led the Detroit Pistons to the NBA title. The five-time All-Star was known as “Mr. Big Shot” due to his ability to come through in clutch situations.
Among others known to be under consideration for the Portland gig are San Antonio Spurs assistant Becky Hammon and Brooklyn Nets assistant and longtime NBA head coach Mike D’Antoni.
Both Hammon and D’Antoni had second interviews earlier this week, according to reports.