Could Trail Blazers part ways with head coach?

There appears to be increasing speculation regarding Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups’ job status.

Though Portland has suggested that Billups will return as head coach next season, there is some doubt about that, according to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. Other teams are “monitoring” Billups’ status, and rumors have increased after the Blazers parted ways with two of his assistants, including his brother Rodney.

The implication is that those assistants, who also included a former Coach of the Year, may have been let go without Billups’ approval. The organization has the right to do this, but it could certainly cause tension.

Blazers GM Joe Cronin had publicly confirmed that Billups would be back next season, but that was before changes were made to the coaching staff.

The 47-year-old has gone 81-165 over three seasons with Portland, though the team was openly rebuilding. That poor record does not appear to have significantly diminished his standing around the league.