Portland Trailblazers reach a five-year deal to hire Chaunsey Bill Ups as a coach

The Portland Trailblazers reached a five-year deal to hire L.A. Clippers assistant Shaunsey Billups as the franchise’s new coach on Sunday.

Billups, 44, will be introduced at a news conference Tuesday in Portland.

The deal includes team options for a fifth season, the sources said.

Neil Olshey, Blazers’ president of basketball operations, and Andy Miller, Billups’ representative for Klutch Sports, concluded the terms of their contracts on Sunday, sources said. The Blazers offered Billups a job Friday night and the two sides have reached an agreement. to replace ex-coach Terry Stotts over the weekend.

The Blazers’ Billups landing set the direction of the franchise as it seeks to boost the crucial year of All-NBA guard Damian Lillard̵

7;s career by deepening the team in the Western Conference playoffs Portland has qualified for. to the semifinals of the two conferences and the finals of the conference in the era Lillard-Olshey-Stotts

After Jodie Allen and Olshey became chairman of the Blazers, the Blazers met with Billups in Seattle on Wednesday. They believed he was the right candidate. The source said

Before making an official offer on Friday night, the Blazers were still investigating an alleged 1997 sexual harassment case involving Billups, the sources said. No criminal charges But there is an agreement in a civil case.

Although Billups has been scrutinized several times for senior NBA leadership positions, including being offered the role of president of basketball operations for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017 and in his current role with the Clippers, Blazers has taken the process. Most searched to review. Allegations from Billups’ next season in the NBA, sources say.

Billups supported an investigation, the sources said, and his responses in multiple conversations with Blazers officials were consistent with findings from an independent investigation, the sources said. The Blazers ultimately found nothing they believed was right. Billups Disqualified from Franchise’s New Head Coach

The Clippers credit Billups for his success working with All-Star Paul George to improve his playing skills this season. Olshey’s history with Billups goes back to their time with the Clippers in the 2011-2012 season.

Olshey considers Billups one of the best leaders he has seen in the NBA for a long time. and that relationship Along with Lillard’s public endorsement, Billups chose a Portland job over other opportunities. The source said

Billups were tasked with elevating the Blazers’ defensive line, which ranked worst in the league last season. and continues to build on top-scoring attacking games like Lillard and CJ McCollum.

Portland plans to be aggressive in nearby Billups, who served as assistant Clippers for one season with experienced coaching staff. Billups replaces Stotts, who left Portland after eight trips to the playoffs, including an exit. Three first rounds in the last four years

Brooklyn Nets assistant Mike Dantony and San Antonio Spurs assistant Becky Hammon also met Allen and Olshey in Seattle.

Billups is a five-time NBA All-Star and MVP of the 2004 NBA Finals as a member of the Detroit Pistons.