The Trail Blazers have begun to build a strong culture with Billups as their head coach and the 44-year-old has agreed to a multi-year contract extension with Portland, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Billups was on the final year of his contract that began four years ago when he first was hired as to become the Trail Blazers’ head coach.
While Portland will miss the playoffs this season, they will be seeking their 36th win of the season in Sunday’s regular season finale vs. the Lakers, which is a huge improvement after the Trail Blazers only won 21 games last season. Portland got off to a rocky start this season, but they flipped a switch in the new year with nearly a .500 record and with the club ranking eighth in defensive rating.
Portland has a compelling young core of Deni Avdija, Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson to build around, and if they can get a healthy campaign from Deandre Ayton next season, the Trail Blazers certainly will have a great chance to make the postseason for the first time since 2021.
