“Jason Kidd is the guy I want”: Damian Lillard states his preference for Chauncey Billups or the former Nets head coach after Terry Stotts is fired by the Blazers

Damian Lillard lets his preference for the next head coach be known after Terry Stotts and the Trail Blazers parted ways. 

Damian Lillard has reportedly had a voice within the Portland Trail Blazers when it comes to executive decisions for a long time now, and justifiably so.

It makes sense for the team to make decisions that will make their best player happy. In fact, many claim that the reason Terry Stotts retained his position for so long in the first place, was because Lillard had a very good relationship with him.

However, with the 63-year-old’s tenure with the team finally ending, the search for a new head coach has commenced. And Dame has already made it clear who his pick for the job is.

Also Read: Skip Bayless questions Blazers superstar’s ‘Dame Time’ following abysmal 2nd half shooting against Nuggets in Game 6

Damian Lillard announces that he wants Jason Kidd as his head coach at the start of next season

Frankly, while Damian Lillard should absolutely have a say in this matter, we don’t think his voice should be the loudest. After all, the other people who will be there in this conversation are far more well-versed and experienced when it comes to talent evaluation and the ability of a potential head coach.

Still, it’s almost guaranteed that the Portland Trail Blazers will follow Lillard’s requests down to the letter. And if that’s the case, we may already have the successor to Stotts. Here is what Dame said about the now vacant position.

“Jason Kidd is the guy I want.”

💯 percent … I will miss him. https://t.co/yoZNdY625W

— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) June 5, 2021

It is only one line. But it could perhaps be the difference between the likes of Mike D’Antoni and the former player getting the job.

As many fans know, Kidd has coached at Milwaukee and Brooklyn before and is currently working under Frank Vogel, with the Lakers. So far, reports have suggested that his communication with players is top-notch. And of course, his longtime relationship with Damian Lillard doesn’t hurt his chances either.

Now, the ball is in the Blazers’ court. Will the franchise look to make a move that makes their star happy? Or will they instead hire someone that they believe would be better for the franchise?

Also Read: Infamous LeBron James hater Skip Bayless pessimistic about how Kawhi Leonard and co will play Game 7 at Staples Center

About the author

Tonoy Sengupta

Tonoy Sengupta is a Senior Editor at The SportsRush. Coming from an athletically inclined family, he has been surrounded by sports ever since he was 4 years old. But, while initially pouring all his time into Football (soccer), at 14, Tonoy discovered basketball through the countless highlights of Stephen Curry humiliating players from Curry Land. And just like that, a fiery passion for the game was ignited within Tonoy. And soon after, he decided to become a student of journalism, graduating in 2022, and choosing sports as his area of interest. Today, you can find him spending 99% of his time browsing through every type of content on every team in the NBA, before uncorking everything he has found to the world. In the 1% he isn't doing this, you can find him playing Basketball, Football, Volleyball, or practically any other sport he has had the opportunity to learn.

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