Following a disappointing run in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets won’t avoid a potential key loss on their coaching staff.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Nuggets assistant Jared Dudley was recently interviewed by the Portland Trail Blazers for their head coach position.
So far, he is one of the first names to get linked to the job.
via Michael Scotto, HoopHype: Sources: The Trail Blazers interviewed Jared Dudley for their head coaching position. Dudley is the lead assistant coach for the Nuggets. He was also an assistant coach for the Mavericks. He spent 14 NBA seasons with the Bobcats, Suns, Clippers, Bucks, Wizards, Nets, and Lakers.
The Nuggets Could Lose Jared Dudley To The Blazers
The 2025-2026 NBA season was Dudley’s first year on the Nuggets’ bench. He was hired by David Adelman as the head coach’s first top assistant, since he took over for Michael Malone amid the 2024-2025 season.
Denver is Dudley’s second coaching location since wrapping up his playing career.
Before joining the Nuggets, Dudley joined the Dallas Mavericks‘ staff in 2021. He was a 14-year NBA veteran joining the former point guard, Jason Kidd, in a key role. After a season full of ups and downs in 2024-2025 with the Mavs, Dudley moved on.
The Latest On The Blazers’ Search
The Trail Blazers lost their head coach, Chauncey Billups, at the beginning of the year due to legal issues. The Blazers had Tiago Splitter take over. He coached the Blazers throughout the entire 2025-2026 season.
While Splitter did a solid job, coaching the Blazers to a 42-40 record, cracking the seventh seed in the NBA Playoffs, he is not expected to return as the head coach for next season. Therefore, the Blazers are on the hunt for a new voice.
More candidates are expected to be revealed over time, but Portland has officially threatened the Nuggets with their recent interview.