Blazers Reportedly Negotiating Contract With Chauncey Billups
The Trail Blazers aren't wasting any time.
After news broke on Friday afternoon about Portland "locking in" on Chauncey Billups as the team's next head coach, the Blazers are now apparently in contract negotiations with the five-time All-Star.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Billups' camp and Portland president of basketball operations Neil Olshey are currently working out the parameters of a multi-year deal to make him Terry Stotts' successor.
The Blazers offered Billups the job Friday night, sources said, and president of basketball operations Neil OShey and Andy Miller of Klutch sports have begun negotiating a long-term deal that is expected to result in Billups taking over as head coach.
NBC Sports Northwest's Dwight Jaynes confirmed the report, indicating that Billups has already accepted the Blazers' offer to become the team's head coach despite not yet putting pen to paper.
Billups, considered a potential replacement for Stotts even before Portland parted ways with its longtime former coach on June 4, is a rookie assistant with the LA Clippers. He's been lauded for the palpable playmaking improvement of Paul George this season, and ESPN recently rated him as the top head-coaching prospect in all of basketball.
Unsurprisingly, Billups' existing relationship with Olshey and Damian Lillard—who's support for Billups has been public for weeks—reportedly played a major factor in him ultimately beating out Becky Hammon, Mike D'Antoni and others for Portland's coaching vacancy.
In 1997, Billups was accused of rape, later settling a civil case brought against him by his alleged victim. For full details on the allegation, CLICK HERE.