Portland is expected to hire Minnesota assistant coach Mika Nori as its new head coach after parting ways with Tiago Splitter, according to ESPN senior reporter Shams Charania on Tuesday evening. The move gives Danny Avdija a new coach in Portland.
Nori is regarded as one of the NBA's top assistants and has been on league coaching staffs since 2009. He will take over the Trail Blazers on a multi-year contract.
Portland general manager Joe Cronin led an extensive search that included interviews with more than 12 candidates. The other finalists were Boston Celtics assistant Tyler Lashbrook and former interim coach Tiago Splitter.
Splitter, who guided the Trail Blazers to the playoffs, was appointed by the Chicago Bulls last week. Portland's coaching change follows that departure and brings a new full-time leader to the team.