Blazers fire assistant coach Hughes after comments on Aldridge leaving

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Even if the writing was on the wall that four-time NBA All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge was going to leave the Portland Trail Blazers this summer, it would probably be wise to not broadcast that to the world before he makes his final decision.

Blazers assistant coach Kim Hughes learned that the hard way, and he's now without a job because of it.

General manager Neil Olshey told the Oregonian's Jason Quick on Saturday that Hughes was being relieved of his duties after a little under three years working under head coach Terry Stotts.

"We can confirm Mr. Hughes is no longer with the team," Olshey said. "It is our policy to otherwise refrain from commenting on personnel matters."

During a recent interview with WTHI TV in Indiana, Hughes made it clear Aldridge was on his way out.

"We didn't publicize it, but we lost LaMarcus Aldridge," said Hughes. "It hasn't been declared yet, but I'm sure he won't come back. We will go young and we depend on Meyers (Leonard) to play a lot of minutes."

Aldridge agreed to terms on a four-year, $80-million deal with the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, confirming Hughes' comments and nearly everyone else's suspicions, even though Olshey vehemently denied Aldridge had told team officials he wasn't re-signing.

The loss of Aldridge is a tough pill to swallow, with Portland now minus four of their five starters from last season. Nicolas Batum was dealt to the Charlotte Hornets, Robin Lopez is heading to the New York Knicks, and Wesley Matthews will be signing with the Dallas Mavericks.

What was a 51-31 team last year is now facing a future clouded in uncertainty, which will almost certainly include a sharp decline in the win column. Hughes won't be around to pick up the pieces and help the Blazers start fresh with a new core of players, but he has no one to blame but himself for that.