Failing to fire their coach, the Blazers had decided to modify his staff. Exit assistants Scott Brooks, the former coach of the Thunder and Wizards, and Rodney Billups, the brother of Chauncey Billups. Another departure, that of Steve Hetzel, who joined Jordi Fernandez in Brooklyn as first assistant.
Result, ESPN announces that Chauncey Billups sees Nate Bjorkgren and Chris Fleming arrive to surround him. The first made himself known as an assistant at the Raptors, before completely missing his experience as head coach at the Pacers. Fired after just one season, in 2021, he had since joined the Canada staff, and it was he who was on the selection bench during the qualifying periods for the 2023 World Cup.
The second is the former coach of the German team and a former assistant to Kenny Atkinson at the Nets. Released by the Bulls a few weeks ago, he became Jim Boylen's main assistant in 2019. After the latter's dismissal, he remained on Billy Donovan's staff, notably thanks to his relationship with Coby White, of whom he was close since his rookie season.
