Nate McMillan Signs Extension With Blazers Through 2012-13

Nate McMillan has signed an extension with Portland Trail Blazers to remain that team's head coach through the 2012-13 season, the team announced Tuesday. The Oregonian's Jason Quick was the first to report the news. McMillan's contract -- which reportedly paid him $5 million per season -- was set to expire at season's end, as the team had heretofore been unable to reach an agreement on an extension.

While McMillan faced apparent trouble last summer when the Blazers fired general manager Kevin Pritchard, he had a previous relationship with incoming personnel boss Rich Cho. The pair worked together in Seattle before McMillan relocated down I-5 in 2005. Cho's personnel moves, namely signing Wesley Matthews and trading for Gerald Wallace, have been met with apparent open arms by McMillan, as both major acquisitions have played major minutes.

Some Portland fans bristle as McMillan's methodical style, but the roster -- stripped of speed demons like Sergio Rodriguez and Jerryd Bayless -- seems to fit the offense just fine. Despite crushing injuries, including knee trouble that's limited star Brandon Roy to just 29 games this season, the Blazers are in position to earn a playoff bid in the deep West.