Report: Blazers increasingly expected to move on from Stotts

Barring a sensational playoff run, the Portland Trail Blazers are expected to part ways with longtime head coach Terry Stotts in the offseason, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania and Sam Amick.

Support toward Stotts among players is reportedly lower than it's been in previous seasons, and the organization could look toward a fresh, dynamic voice to try to make the most of what's left of 30-year-old Damian Lillard's prime.

Stotts has one year remaining on his contract after 2020-21.

Stotts joined the Trail Blazers in August 2012 after a successful tenure as an assistant coach on Rick Carlise's Dallas Mavericks staff. He currently ranks as the fourth longest-tenured head coach in the league, amassing a 394-316 (.555) record in nine seasons in Portland.

Stotts' Trail Blazers have never appeared in the NBA Finals and only played in the Western Conference finals once (2019), despite the team reaching the postseason in seven straight seasons - on track to become the league’s longest active playoff streak should they qualify in 2021.

Portland currently has a 36-29 (.554) record and would participate in the NBA's new play-in tournament format if the regular season ended today. The Trail Blazers have seven outings left to make up a one-game difference with the sixth-seeded Los Angeles Lakers to avoid such a scenario. Portland takes on the Lakers at home Friday.