The Portland Trail Blazers have officially announced their basketball operations staff for the 2026-27 NBA season, adding significant experience to head coach Micah Nori's bench.
Headlining the new hires is Jay Triano, a 2026 Canada's Sports Hall of Fame inductee. Triano returns to Portland with over two decades of NBA experience, including head coaching stints with the Toronto Raptors and Phoenix Suns. He previously served as a Trail Blazers assistant from 2012 to 2016. Mike Williams joins after three seasons as an assistant with the Utah Jazz. He started his career as a player development intern in Portland.
Quinton Crawford is back for his second season as an assistant. He brings a championship pedigree, having led the Stockton Kings to the 2025 NBA G League title as head coach. Gilbert Abraham continues in a dual role as assistant coach and Director of Player Development. Leron Black earns a promotion from player development coach to assistant after a season with the Rip City Remix, Portland's G League affiliate.
Pooh Jeter enters his fourth season in player development for the Blazers. The former Sacramento Kings guard and University of Portland Hall of Famer provides veteran insight from a long professional career across the globe. Jason Luhnow also moves into a full-time player development role for his fourth year with the organization. This group will be essential for nurturing the team's young talent.
This staff overhaul arrives at a promising time.
The new coaching mix of seasoned veterans like Triano and Crawford with up-and-coming developers like Williams and Black is designed to sustain this progress. They'll aim to build on a defense that held the Los Angeles Lakers to just 81 points in a win last April. Fans can track the team's continued growth on our standings page.
Head coach Micah Nori now has a deep, versatile staff to tackle the 2026-27 campaign. Triano's international and head coaching experience is a major asset for in-game strategy. Crawford's proven ability to develop winning cultures in the G League is another key addition. Meanwhile, internal promotions for Black and the stability of Jeter and Luhnow ensure continuity in player relationships.
The goal is clear: convert this current winning momentum into a sustainable identity. With a blend of tactical knowledge and developmental focus, this staff is tasked with guiding the Trail Blazers' roster through the rigors of the NBA schedule.
