The Portland Trail Blazers fired Kim Hughes, the assistant coach who said LaMarcus Aldridge was leaving the organization, on Saturday, according to Jason Quick of the Oregonian.
Blazers fire assistant coach who revealed LaMarcus Aldridge’s departure
Kim Hughes is out after three years in Portland after he told a local TV station that Aldridge was leaving the team.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Hughes, who has spent 25 years in the NBA as a player, coach and scout, told WTHI television of Terre Haute, Ind., that Aldridge was departing the Blazers in free agency. He was the first member of the franchise to make such an announcement. Team officials were enraged with Hughes, the team's frontcourt coach, saying he had no knowledge of the franchise's free agent actions.
But Hughes was right, Aldridge signed with the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, leaving the Blazers after nine years for a four-year, $80 million deal.
It has been a rough offseason for the Blazers, who lost not only Aldridge, but also Robin Lopez, Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum this summer. They did sign All-Star Damian Lillard to a five-year, $120 million extension and have a young roster in place to move forward.
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