-----The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to a multi-year contract extension with head coach Chauncey Billups, it was announced today by General Manager Joe Cronin. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"The core of Chauncey’s leadership is his ability to build a collaborative culture and growth mindset for our young team,” said Jody Allen, chair of the Portland Trail Blazers. “We’re very happy to extend his contract as head coach, and excited to see his continued work developing our players and transforming this team into one capable of long-term success."

“Chauncey Billups is a great leader, motivator and communicator that has worked tirelessly to establish an identity for this team that has taken shape over his time in Portland,” said Joe Cronin. “I am beyond excited to continue this partnership with Chauncey and take this team to the next level.”

Originally hired on June 27, 2021, Billups is in his fourth season and has his highest win total in a season during the 2024-25 campaign, has excelled at establishing a team identity that will progress forward. In the past 40 games, Billups coached the Trail Blazers to the NBA’s third best defensive rating as well as the fifth best fourth quarter defensive rating. During that time span, Portland also posted the 11th best net rating in the NBA with the second youngest team in the league. For the 2024-25 season, as a team, the Trail Blazers rank 11th in steals and ninth in blocks per game and Billups has improved the team’s defensive rating every season since 2022-23.

“I want to thank Jody Allen, Bert Kolde and Joe Cronin for their belief in me as we all progress on this journey of creating a sustained winner for years to come,” said Billups. “We are building this team the right way with a defensive-minded, hard-nosed, competitive culture. I look forward to continuing to give Rip City fans a product on the court that they can be proud of and cheer for every night.

Player development has also been key to Portland’s successes this season. Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe have established career-highs in points for the Trail Blazers while second year players Toumani Camara and Scoot Henderson notably both made increases in three-point shooting percentage. Rookie Donovan Clingan has posted the second best rookie rebound percentage ever and sixth best rookie block percentage ever. Camara was named as the NBA’s Western Conference Player of the Month for February. Camara, along with Henderson and Bryce McGowens were also named as NBA Rising Stars at All-Star weekend this season.

Billups, 48, was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame this past October as part of the class of 2024. He played 17 seasons in the NBA for Boston, Toronto, Denver, Minnesota, Detroit, New York and the Clippers. In 2004 he was named the NBA Finals MVP after leading Detroit to an NBA Championship. A five-time All-Star, Billups was named All-NBA Second Team in 2006 and All-NBA Third Team in 2007 and 2009. He also received NBA All-Defensive Second Team honors in 2005 and 2006. In addition to his playing accolades, Billups was awarded the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 2008, the NBA Sportsmanship Award in 2009, and the inaugural Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award in 2013. Billups’ No. 1 jersey was retired by the Pistons in 2016. For his career, Billups averaged 15.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 1,043 games.

Portland Trail Blazers

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