With the Chicago Bulls on the hunt for a new head coach, a former Golden State Warriors assistant becomes a potential candidate.
On Thursday night, the Warriors learned that two of their assistants were parting ways with the organization. The former player Jerry Stackhouse was one of them. The ex-Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts was the other.
For some time, it seemed Stotts could be in line to move up the ladder in Golden State. Steve Kerr’s status was up in the air, and Stotts was his top assistant. However, Kerr is back with the Warriors for at least the next two seasons.
Does Terry Stotts Want To Keep Coaching?
GettyHead coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors laughs from the bench with coaches (L-R) Seth Cooper, Terry Stotts, Jerry Stackhouse and Kris Weems during the second half at the Delta Center on January 28, 2026 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
According to ESPN, the 68-year-old coach isn’t leaving the Warriors with intentions of hanging it up.
Stotts leaves the Warriors on good terms, and “remains open to NBA head coaching opportunities.”
The former Warriors assistant left a statement for ESPN: “I enjoyed my time with Steve, the staff and players. My two years there were fulfilling. Nothing but well-wishes.”
Should The Bulls Give Stotts A Look?
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 24: CJ McCollum #3 (L), Damian Lillard #0 and Terry Stotts of the Portland Trail Blazers talk late in the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on November 24, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
The Bulls anticipated having Billy Donovan around for the 2026-2027 NBA season. Just last summer, the team signed him to an extension.
Going into the offseason, Donovan stepped down. With the Bulls now in a rebuild, the longtime head coach clearly saw a reason to get out.
Stotts has an impressive background that’s worth taking a look at for Chicago. He started in the NBA as an assistant for the Seattle SuperSonics in 1992. His first head coaching opportunity came in 2002 with the Atlanta Hawks. He also coached the Milwaukee Bucks and the Blazers as a head coach.
In nine seasons with the Blazers, Stotts won 55.8% of his games. They made the playoffs eight out of nine seasons. Give him a look? The Bulls should weigh all options.
But the state of the Bulls might be a hard sell for a coach like Stotts. The 2026-2027 season will mark the first year of the embraced rebuild. The roster has some intriguing talent, with a fourth-overall rookie coming in, but the Bulls are going to be solely focused on development next season. That might not be ideal for Stotts.