The Portland Trail Blazers announced on Sunday that head coach Chauncey Billups has agreed to a multi-year contract extension. The move comes six days after the Trail Blazers reached a multi-year extension with general manager Joe Cronin, who took over as GM after Neil Olshey was dismissed @six months after Billups was hired as head coach.
GM Joe Cronin said in a statement: “Chauncey Billups is a great leader, motivator and communicator that has worked tirelessly to establish an identity for this team that has taken shape over his time in Portland. I am beyond excited to continue this partnership with Chauncey and take this team to the next level.”
Per team policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed for Billups, 48, who is in his fourth season coaching Portland and is in the final year of his four-year contract. The NBA Hall of Famer has compiled a 116-211 record with the franchise, after having played 17 NBA seasons that included five All-Star appearances and an NBA championship with the Detroit Pistons in 2004, when he also earned Finals MVP.
Billups released in a statement: “I want to thank (Trail Blazers chair) Jody Allen, (vice chair) Bert Kolde and Joe Cronin for their belief in me as we all progress on this journey of creating a sustained winner for years to come. We are building this team the right way with a defensive-minded, hard-nosed, competitive culture. I look forward to continuing to give Rip City fans a product on the court that they can be proud of and cheer for every night.”
Jody Allen, chair of the Portland Trail Blazers, said: “The core of Chauncey’s leadership is his ability to build a collaborative culture and growth mindset for our young team. We’re very happy to extend his contract as head coach, and excited to see his continued work developing our players and transforming this team into one capable of long-term success.”
Portland was officially eliminated from playoff consideration last Sunday with the Sacramento Kings’ win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Blazers are currently slotted for the No. 9 selection in the NBA Draft, pending the outcome of the NBA Draft Lottery.
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