The NBA coaching carousel has started spinning, which means Juwan Howard’s name is popping up.
The Portland Trail Blazers parted ways with their head coach, Terry Stotts, on Friday after nine seasons. Howard, Michigan’s coach the past two seasons, is among the potential candidates for the job, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowksi.
It’s not the first time Howard has been linked to an NBA job opening and it likely won’t be the last.
After guiding Michigan to a 19-12 record in his first season, Howard led the Wolverines to a 23-5 mark this past year, which included a Big Ten regular-season title, a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and an Elite Eight appearance.
Michigan brings in the No. 1 recruiting class in the country this year and is among the early favorites for the 2022 national championship.
Howard was highly respected in the NBA during his 25 years in the league — 19 as a player and six as an assistant coach with the Miami Heat. He interviewed for head coaching jobs before returning to his alma mater after John Beilein left Michigan.
Last summer, with multiple NBA teams searching for a coach, Wojnarowski, a veteran, credible insider, reported that Howard’s name was “gaining traction within front offices.” Within two hours, Howard released a statement addressing the report.
“While I am flattered, and know it will more than likely happen again, I am not exploring, seeking or listening,” Howard’s statement read, in part.
He was right about it happening again.
Wojnarowski reported on Friday that Howard is “among candidates expected to be considered for the Blazers’ opening.” Wojnarowski listed Chauncey Billups, Jeff Van Gundy, and Mike D’Antonio as other possibilities.
There are currently two other NBA teams looking for a new coach: the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic.
There is no indication that Howard’s stance has changed since last August. It’s worth noting that his son Jace will be a sophomore with the Wolverines and his youngest son, Jett, is a top-50 prospect in next year’s recruiting class.
Howard, 48, is set to earn $2.2 million this season, the third year of a five-year deal paying him a total of $11.2 million.
It’s no surprise NBA teams would be interested. Howard left the league in good standing and has only enhanced his stock with his performance as a head coach at Michigan.
“When people in the NBA look for highly qualified candidates, the more success Juwan has at Michigan, the more his name will be bandied about and mentioned as a candidate,” Howard’s former agent, David Falk, told MLive last summer. “It might happen every year,” Falk added.
NBA teams are interested in Howard. The more intriguing question: Is Howard interested in them?
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