Splitter's Staying Professional While Dundon Shops for His Replacement
The interim head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers is keeping his head down and his focus tight, even as new owner Tom Dundon is reportedly making calls to outside candidates to take over the job. Tiago Splitter, who stepped into the role after Chauncey Billups' arrest as part of a federal investigation into a rigged high-stakes poker scheme, said before Portland's 106-103 win over San Antonio in Game 2 on Tuesday night that he's "just trying to be a pro" and concentrating on his locker room and staff.
From Assistant to Interim to Uncertain Future
Splitter took over the morning after Billups' arrest and has steered the Blazers to a 42-40 record and the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. That's Portland's first playoff appearance in five years. He's also been instrumental in the development of All-Star forward Deni Avdija, who earned Most Improved Player finalist honors this season. Not bad for a guy who was supposed to be a temporary fix.
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👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiBut the money situation is messy. Sources told ESPN that Splitter received a raise from his assistant coaching salary during the season and had conversations about a longer-term deal, but the head coaching salary offered to him was far below standard NBA pay. Further talks got pushed to after the season ends.
Dundon's Cost-Cutting Vision Raises Questions
Dundon, who also owns the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes and has a reputation for running lean operations, reportedly wants to pay around $1 million per year for a head coach. That's a fraction of what most NBA coaches make. The Oregonian reported last week that Dundon is trying to run things more efficiently. As part of those cost-cutting measures, the Blazers didn't bring any of their two-way players on the road for the playoffs. No other playoff team did that.
Splitter isn't getting distracted by any of it. His job right now is the same as it's been since he took the gig: focus on basketball and keep the team locked in during their first postseason run in half a decade.
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