Despite missing the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season, the Portland Trail Blazers have doubled down on their commitment to head coach Chauncey Billups, agreeing to a multiyear contract extension that will keep the 47-year-old at the helm for the foreseeable future.
As first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, Portland finalized the deal with Billups’ agent Andy Miller of Klutch Sports, choosing continuity over upheaval at a time when the franchise is deeply entrenched in a youth-driven rebuild.
The timing of the extension is significant. Billups was nearing the end of the final guaranteed year of his original five-year contract, and while the team held an option for 2025-26, his future was an open question until recently. With general manager Joe Cronin already extended earlier this season, the Trail Blazers clearly see Billups as a vital part of the long-term vision for the franchise.
Although Billups’ overall coaching record stands at 116-211, a deeper dive reveals a more encouraging trend. Since January 19, Portland has posted a .550 winning percentage while ranking among the top five in defensive efficiency, per ESPN Research. They are currently 12th in the West with a 35-46 record, a massive improvement from last season where they finished last.
That upward trajectory coincided with the emergence of several young players—most notably Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, Donovan Clingan, and Toumani Camara—who all flourished under Billups’ guidance.
Clingan, the rookie center drafted in 2024, recently set franchise rookie records for both total rebounds and offensive rebounds in a single season. His development, alongside that of Avdija—who enjoyed an offensive breakout—and Henderson, who has settled into his role as the team’s future lead guard, points to a coach who has found a way to connect with his young core.
Portland’s late-season competitiveness also spoke volumes about Billups’ coaching philosophy. Even with postseason hopes extinguished and the team resting several key players for draft lottery purposes, Billups remained committed to instilling a winning culture.
What’s perhaps most notable is the internal growth Billups has experienced during this stretch. That level of identity and cohesion is rare for a team in transition, and it reflects the imprint Billups has made despite the revolving door of personnel and the departure of franchise icon Damian Lillard.
The Blazers have now locked in both their general manager and head coach, providing some much-needed stability as they continue to retool their roster. With an exciting crop of young players, several future draft picks, and a coach who appears to have earned his players’ trust and the front office’s confidence, Portland seems ready to embrace the long road ahead.
And if the second half of this season is any indication, Chauncey Billups might just be the right voice to guide them through it.