The hearts of LA Clippers fans began to race when news spread that the Portland Trail Blazers, in need of a coach, were interviewing Jeff Van Gundy for the position. Nobody wanted him to leave LA. However, everyone can finally exhale and rejoice, as Marc Stein of ‘The Stein Line’ reported that Van Gundy is believed to be earning $3 million per year, and that’s a number Portland’s owner, Thomas Dundon, may not be willing to match, let alone exceed.
This hints that Van Gundy is better off staying where he is with the Clippers. Sure, he would be promoted to a head coach for one of the better young teams in the NBA, but if he reportedly won't be receiving a raise from his current salary, his leaving makes no sense.
There has to be a massive check on the table, one that is too good to pass up, and in an environment that allows him to thrive freely, for his connection with Tyronn Lue to be worth breaking.
Van Gundy is literally a genius on the sidelines, which explains why he’s one of the highest-paid assistants in the league, according to Stein.
The Trail Blazers are making a grave mistake by not being willing to pay JVG
On the coaching market, the Portland Trail Blazers desperately need someone who knows how to work with superstars, has experience maximizing their potential and the talent of the rest of the roster, and someone players/staff can build a strong bond with.
These are the traits from coaches that win games. Just look at Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder or Mitch Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs.
That said, Jeff Van Gundy checks off each of these boxes for the Trail Blazers.
He was insanely important to Kawhi Leonard’s career season, Darius Garland’s transition to the LA Clippers, and Ivica Zubac’s rise to stardom when he was a member of the team.
In Portland, Van Gundy could do the same, if not better, with more power in his hands, for guys like Deni Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, Jrue Holiday, and many more.
But, based on Marc Stein's report, Thomas Dundon wants to be budget-friendly, and the Trail Blazers will miss out on the best available fit.
Clipper Nation is certainly not complaining, though, as it means he is off the Trail Blazers’ radar. This leaves the Orlando Magic as the only threat to take him away, as of now.
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