RealGM Basketball Wiretap

12 May 2026

• Blazers Interview Assistants Ben Sullivan, Jared Dudley

  The Portland Trail Blazers interviewed Houston Rockets assistant coach Ben Sullivan and Denver Nuggets assistant coach Jared Dudley, sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  Sullivan interviewed for the Suns job last summer.

  Dudley was also an assistant for the Mavs.

  It was reported on Thursday that Tiago Splitter is unlikely to receive the full-time coaching position with the Blazers.

• Mike Schmitz Hired As General Manager Of Mavericks

  The Dallas Mavericks have named Mike Schmitz as General Manager, the team announced Friday. Schmitz will report to President Masai Ujiri and oversee day-to-day basketball operations and strategic planning.

  Schmitz joins Dallas after serving as Assistant General Manager with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he contributed to player evaluation, scouting, roster strategy and organizational planning. He is widely regarded as one of the NBA's top talent evaluators.

  "Mike is one of the most respected evaluators and basketball minds in the NBA," Ujiri said. "He brings intelligence, discipline, humility and a relentless work ethic to everything he does. Just as importantly, he understands how to build an aligned, collaborative culture across every part of a basketball organization. We are building something special in Dallas, and Mike will be a major part of that vision."

  "Joining the Dallas Mavericks is an incredible opportunity," Schmitz said. "I have tremendous respect for Masai, this ownership group and the vision they have for the future of this franchise. I'm excited to get to work alongside the talented people already in place and help build a championship-caliber organization."

  Before joining Portland in May 2022, Schmitz spent five years as a draft analyst for ESPN. He has served as an assistant coach for the Ugandan national team since 2018 and worked as a global scout for DraftExpress since 2012. He is a 2012 graduate of the University of Arizona.

• Tiago Splitter Unlikely To Receive Full-Time Head Coaching Job With Blazers

  Tiago Splitter, who guided the Portland Trail Blazers to a 42-39 record and the franchise's first playoff berth in five years, is unlikely to be offered the full-time head coaching position, sources with knowledge of the situation tell Jake Fischer. The Brazilian was elevated to interim head coach after felony charges were filed against Chauncey Billups following the season's opening game.

  Despite remaining under consideration, sources continue to indicate Portland will look elsewhere for a permanent hire as the franchise pursues interviews with as many as 30 candidates.

  Several NBA assistant coaches have already declined Portland's interview requests, citing new owner Tom Dundon's unconventional approach and persistent reports of below-market compensation for the role. Veteran coaches Tom Thibodeau and Michael Malone both rejected early outreach from Dundon, with sources saying both insisted they would not engage while Splitter remained as interim coach.

  Brooklyn Nets assistant Steve Hetzel and Denver Nuggets assistant Jared Dudley are among the candidates drawing interest from Portland. Hetzel spent three seasons with the Blazers, two of which overlapped with Damian Lillard. Sources say Lillard, positioned to return to a prominent role with the organization, has submitted suggestions to the front office regarding the search.

  Hetzel is also a candidate for the vacant New Orleans head coaching position, with Portland considered a fallback option if he does not land that role.

• Blazers Expect Damian Lillard To Return Next Season; Will Receive Trade Interest In Jrue Holiday

  The Portland Trail Blazers expect Damian Lillard to return to the lineup next season after the guard suffered a torn Achilles in April 2025.

  The Blazers could potentially have a starting backcourt of Lillard and Jrue Holiday, though the team also expects Holiday to receive trade interest this offseason.

  Holiday averaged 16.3 points and 6.1 assists in his first season with the Blazers.

  Holiday has two years left on his current deal, including a player option for the 2027-28 season.

  The Blazers are also expected to be prime trade suitors for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

• Blazers To Be 'Prime Trade Suitor' For Giannis Antetokounmpo, May Pursue Anthony Davis As Alternative

  The Portland Trail Blazers are set to emerge as a "prime trade suitor" for Giannis Antetokounmpo this offseason, according to Jake Fischer of The People's Insider.

  The Blazers discussed deals for Antetokounmpo with the Bucks before the trade deadline.

  The team is looking to build a trade package revolving around Jerami Grant's expiring contract.

  The Blazers also own the Bucks' first-round picks in 2028, 2029, and 2030.

  The Blazers also reportedly contacted the Mavs before the trade deadline over a possible deal for Anthony Davis.

  They could still pursue Davis should they fall short on an Antetokounmpo deal.

• Blazers Willing Make 'Big Splash' This Offseason If Price Is Right

  Portland Trail Blazers GM Joe Cronin held his end-of-season media availability. One of the things that Cronin hit on was if the Blazers would be looking to make a major acquisition this summer. While Portland's GM didn't say his team definitely would make a big splash, he admitted the idea is enticing.

  "Big splash is definitely something that's intriguing to us, but only at the right price point. We're not going to completely sacrifice our future for a short-term swing. But at the same time, we plan to be very active and aggressive and explore all opportunities out there," Cronin saind. "If none of those opportunities present themselves, we'll be content doing some smaller things, confident that our talent base is strong and that the addition of Dame (Lillard), the internal development, fine-tuning some of these skillset deficiencies we have, we can take a nice step whether we make a big splash or not."

  Cronin said a key skillset Portland will be looking to add this offseason is shooting. He's hopeful that Lillard's return next season will help, along with having Vit Krejci for the full season, but Cronin know his team has to shoot better.

  "I think, the Spurs series showed us that - really, the whole season - we just don't shoot the ball well enough," Cronin said.

• Spurs Beat Blazers In Game 5, Close Out First Playoff Series Win Since 2017

  The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 114-95 in Game 5 on Tuesday to win the series 4-1.

  It is the first playoff series the Spurs have won since 2017.

  De'Aaron Fox lead the team with 21 points, with Victor Wembanyama adding 17 points and 14 rebounds.

  Deni Avdija lead the Blazers with 22 points. The Blazers shot 11-of-47 from three in the game, while the Spurs went 12-of-30 from three.

  The Spurs started the game with a 17-4 run before getting up by as much as 28 points.

  The Spurs will face the winner of the Timerwolves-Nuggets series.

• How To Watch Spurs Vs Trail Blazers Playoff Game 4: Live Stream, TV Channel, Predictions

  The Western Conference First Round continues in the Pacific Northwest this Sunday, April 26, as the Portland Trail Blazers host the San Antonio Spurs for a high-stakes Game 4. Following a resilient 120-108 victory on Friday, the second-seeded Spurs (2-1) have reclaimed the series lead. For Portland, this is a quintessential must-win scenario to avoid heading back to San Antonio facing a nearly insurmountable 3-1 deficit. Catch every moment of this crucial matchup live on Fubo.

  Game 3 was a showcase for Spurs rookie Stephon Castle, who exploded for 33 points to lead San Antonio in the absence of Victor Wembanyama. Portland found a spark in Deni Avdija, who poured in 26 points, but Scoot Henderson and Jerami Grant struggled to maintain efficiency during the Spurs' decisive fourth-quarter run. To turn the tide in Game 4, the Blazers must find an answer for the Spurs' perimeter depth and hope for a dominant interior performance from Donovan Clingan. Witness the tactical battle live on Fubo.

  The spotlight now turns to the health of Victor Wembanyama, whose potential return from a concussion protocol would fundamentally shift the defensive landscape for San Antonio. Portland will need more consistent production from Jrue Holiday to stabilize the offense, while the Spurs aim to use their transition game, led by De'Aaron Fox, to keep the Moda Center crowd quiet. Expect a physical, high-intensity atmosphere as Rip City looks to reclaim its home-court advantage and level the series.

  Portland's ability to limit second-chance points and protect the paint will be vital against a Spurs squad that thrives on ball movement and spacing. You can witness this Western Conference clash streaming live on Fubo.

  How to watch Trail Blazers vs. Spurs Game 4

  Sunday's Game 4 will be broadcast on Fubo.

  Category	Details
  Date	Sunday, April 26, 2026
  Tip-Off Time	3:30 PM ET / 12:30 PM PT
  Live Stream	Fubo
  Venue	Moda Center, Portland, OR

  Trail Blazers vs. Spurs Game 3 Recap & Game 4 Odds

  The Spurs arrive in Portland as favorites despite the hostile road environment. Oddsmakers believe the depth of San Antonio, combined with the possible return of their superstar center, will be too much for the Blazers to overcome.

  Betting Line	Spurs -5.5
  Over/Under	218.5
  Moneyline	SAS -215 | POR +180

  Prediction: Portland typically plays with incredible energy at home, and Scoot Henderson is due for a signature playoff breakout. However, if Wembanyama returns, his defensive gravity is a game-changer. Expect a close battle, but the Spurs' execution late in the game should seal a 3-1 lead. Final Score: Spurs 114, Trail Blazers 105.

  Individual Matchups: Game 3 Leaders

  The battle features San Antonio's rising star Stephon Castle and Portland's Deni Avdija, both of whom stepped up in the absence of other stars in Game 3.

  Spurs Key Player Stats (Game 3)	Points	Assists	Rebounds	FG%
  Stephon Castle (G)	33	5	2	55.6%
  Dylan Harper (G)	27	4	10	50.0%

  The Blazers rely on Jrue Holiday to anchor the backcourt, while looking for Deni Avdija to maintain his hot hand from the perimeter.

  Blazers Key Player Stats (Game 3)	Points	Rebounds	Assists	FG%
  Deni Avdija (F)	26	6	3	48.0%
  Jrue Holiday (G)	21	4	8	42.1%

  Stream the NBA Playoffs on Fubo

  Fubo is the ultimate destination for NBA fans this postseason. Don't miss a single highlight as the Trail Blazers and Spurs battle for Western Conference supremacy with a flexible streaming experience.

  Frequently Asked Questions

  What was the score of Game 3?
  The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 120-108 on Friday night to take a 2-1 series lead.

  When is Trail Blazers vs. Spurs Game 4?
  Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday, April 26, at Moda Center in Portland, with tip-off at 3:30 PM ET.

  Who leads the series?
  San Antonio currently leads the best-of-seven series 2-1.

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• Victor Wembanyama Clears Concussion Protocol, Available For Game 4

  San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama has cleared the NBA's concussion protocol. That means Wembanyama will be available to play in Sunday's Game 4 against the Portland Trail Blazers.

  Wembanyama was hurt in the Spurs Game 1 victory over the Trail Blazers. He's missed the last two games, which the team's split. San Antonio leads Portland 2-1 and is looking to take a 3-1 series lead back to San Antonio on Tuesday.

• Victor Wembanyama Still In Concussion Protocol, Questionable For Game 4

  San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama remains in the NBA's concussion protocol. That has Wembanyama's listed as questionable for Game 4 of the Spurs first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Spurs lead the series 2-1 heading into Game 4 in Portland on Sunday.

  "We are still working through the process and continuing to work with the NBA," San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said on Wembanyama's status for Game 4.

  The Spurs star center went through most of his pregame workout before being ruled out for Game 3. Wembanyama must pass several benchmarks, including being symptom free before the league will clear him from the concussion protocol.