ChrisHaynes, CSNNW.com Trail Blazers Insider (@ChrisBHaynes)
DallasMavericks assistant coach Terry Stotts and Portland Trail Blazersinterim head coach Kaleb Canales have travelled to London to meet with owner Paul Allen in what will be the final phase ofinterviews to determine who will be the Trail Blazers next headcoach, CSNNW.com has learned.
A decision is expected soon after in order to fill out the rest of the coaching staff in a timely fashion.
Tuesday,the Trail Blazers finished up round two of the interview process.General manager Neil Olshey and his brass met with Stotts and former Orlando Magicassistant coach Steve Clifford on Monday and on Tuesday, met withCanales and Phoenix Suns assistant Elston Turner.
OnWednesday, Olshey informed Turner and Clifford that they were nolonger being considered for the position.
Canales,34, is the first Mexican-American coach in NBA history. As well, heis the youngest coach in the NBA.
When the Trail Blazers fired head coach Nate McMillan last March,Canales was selected as interim head coach for the remainder of the2011-12 NBA season, coaching a total of 23 games and finishing with a8-15 record.
Stotts,54, is the only coaching candidate with actual head coachingexperience in the NBA; though Canales holds the same position on aninterim basis. Stotts was an NBA head coach twice Atlanta Hawksfrom 2002-04 and with the Milwaukee Bucks from 2005-07.
Maverickshead coach Rick Carlisle credits Stotts and his offensive schemes he's implemented for helping the Mavericks win the 2011 NBA Finals.Stotts has a career coaching record of 115-168.
