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Damian Lillard has named Jason Kidd as his choice to take over as the Portland Trail Blazers’ next Head Coach. Lillard told Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes that “Jason Kidd is the guy I want”, one hour after it was announced the Blazers and Terry Stotts had parted ways.
Haynes also pointed to Kidd as a potential candidate yesterday while Stotts was still in the role.
Earlier today, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski tabbed Chauncey Billups, Jeff Van Gundy, Mike D’Antoni and Juwan Howard as candidates for the Portland position, but made no mention of Kidd.
Among candidates expected to be considered for the Blazers opening, sources tell ESPN: Clippers assistant Chauncey Billups, Jeff Van Gundy, Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni, and Michigan’s Juwan Howard.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 5, 2021
It’s worth noting that Kidd and Lillard are both Oakland products.
Kidd served this season as Assistant Head Coach with the Los Angeles Lakers, who, like Portland, were eliminated from the playoffs yesterday. He previously coached for a single season with the Brooklyn Nets in 2013-14 before serving four years in the lead position with the Milwaukee Bucks. He holds a 183-190 cumulative record, 9-15 in the post-season.
Kidd also has a history of controversy behind the scenes with multiple organizations and legal issues, including domestic violence and driving while intoxicated.