Sean Deveneyof theSporting News writeswith thoughts on the Portland Trail Blazers' coaching position. ----------------------------- There is a lot that’s attractive about the Portland job, starting with big man LaMarcus Aldridge and the team’s likely two lottery picks. But there’s also some volatility there, especially with rumors that owner Paul Allen is looking to sell the team—rumors the team has denied. It’s hard to say where the Blazers will go for coaching candidates, because they need to first either hire a general manager or remove the interim tag from Chad Buchanan. Allen has not been afraid to pursue big names in the past, and should Magic coach Stan Van Gundy be let go (or resign), he’d be a fit to replace Kaleb Canales, who took over on an interim basis when Nate McMillan was fired in March. There’s also veteran Flip Saunders, one of the smartest coaches around but one who has not always succeeded at connecting with players and management. With what will probably be a young nucleus, the Blazers could look to an assistant who could develop talent, along the lines of Indiana’s Brian Shaw, Houston’s Kelvin Sampson, Boston’s Armond Hill, Memphis’s David Joerger or San Antonio’s Mike Budenholzer. ----------------------------- More regarding Canales from the team's exit interviews whenever I get a chance to process things. -- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com |Twitter