The Portland Trail Blazers lost four out of five starters last offseason yet still managed to earn the No. 5 seed in the 2016 Western Conference playoffs. Please take a moment to give them a round of applause for that.
Given the massive roster turnover Portland had to deal with, head coach Terry Stotts has been in the conversation for Coach of the Year this season, and deservedly so. Under his eye, Damian Lillard has markedly improved from deep, while backcourt mate C.J. McCollum broke out this past season. Somehow, the Blazers have managed to stay afloat despite all of the changes.
With all the attention being paid to the Blazers right now, the question of Stotts' future with the team has been brought up. The coach is signed through the 2016-2017 season, but his salary is not guaranteed, as the extra year is a team option. But Stotts isn't concerned with what's to come.
"That happens in basketball," he said in a recent interview. "If it bothers you, you shouldn't be in this profession. You're going to be in that situation at times. The best thing is to not concern yourself, go about your job and do the best you can."
Though Stotts has earned a new deal based on the team's performance, Portland general manager Neil Olshey would not comment on the fluid situation.
"There are no negotiations. We don't talk contracts during a season. It's as simple as that."
Agent Warren LeGarie represents both Olshey and Stotts, and he believes that once the season is over, both sides will work out an agreeable deal for the future.
"You would hope his body of work says it all," LeGarie said. "This time, we're probably going to take a bit of a stand. You can't keep putting him in (a lame-duck) position. I'm hoping (Blazer owner Paul Allen and Olshey) feel the same way. I'm always optimistic. If they're not interested, there are a lot of teams that will be."
Stotts has posted a 182-146 regular season record as Portland's head coach over the last four years.
