The Trail Blazers' search for a head coach has narrowed down to three candidates: Jeff Van Gundy, Norrie, and Splitter.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein on Thursday, the Portland Trail Blazers' head coaching search has narrowed down to three candidates: Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy, Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Mika Nori, and Tiago Splitter, who has been interim head coach of the Blazers this season.

Jeff Van Gundy, 64, coached the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets for 11 seasons. His most notable achievement was undoubtedly leading the Knicks to the NBA Finals as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference in the 1998/99 season.

However, Jeff Van Gundy has not been in charge since leaving the Rockets in 2007. For the past two seasons, he has been an assistant coach for the Clippers.

The Trail Blazers' new head coach candidates also include 52-year-old Norrie, who has served as an assistant coach for the Timberwolves for six seasons. As one of the league's most promising head coaching prospects, Norrie is also a key candidate being considered by the Dallas Mavericks.

As for 41-year-old Splitter, he was the most unexpected dark horse in this coaching selection process. Since taking over from Chauncey Billups as head coach of the Trail Blazers in October 2025, Splitter has led the team to a 42-39 regular season record in the absence of key players such as Damian Lillard and Scott Henderson, ultimately securing the seventh seed in the Western Conference and making it to the playoffs.

Image source: Internet/TA