Overview
- Multiple outlets reported on Thursday that New York Knicks associate head coach Chris Jent has recently surfaced as a candidate for the Portland Trail Blazers’ head coaching vacancy.
- Portland widened its search after Tiago Splitter left earlier this month to become the Chicago Bulls’ coach, leaving Micah Nori and Tyler Lashbrook among the other reported finalists.
- Jent is a veteran assistant with more than 20 years of NBA and college coaching experience who served as the Knicks’ offensive coordinator during New York’s title run.
- Knicks head coach Mike Brown publicly praised Jent’s credentials after the Finals and said he was surprised Jent had not yet received interviews, which likely increased interest in him.
- All reporting so far is based on beat reporters and insiders rather than official team announcements, so the next developments to watch are formal interviews, permission requests, or any offers and how a hire would affect the Knicks’ coaching continuity.