Mike Nori, Timberwolves Assistant, Named Trail Blazers Head Coach

The Portland Trail Blazers have appointed a new head coach. According to a report by ESPN's Shams Charania on his X.com account, the team has hired Mike Nori, an assistant coach from the Minnesota Timberwolves, on a long-term deal.

Nori, who has been an NBA coach since 2009, is regarded as one of the league's top assistants. He has previously worked with the Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and most recently the Timberwolves. The 52-year-old is now set to lead the Trail Blazers.

Last season, Portland finished eighth in the Western Conference with a 42-40 record. They won a play-in game but lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs, 1-4. Meanwhile, Nori's former team, the Timberwolves, placed sixth in the West with a 49-33 record and fell to the same Spurs in the second round.

It was also recently reported that Estonian businessman Tävet Hinrikus became a co-owner of the Trail Blazers last week.