The Portland Trail Blazers internally considered firing Terry Stotts during the offseason and nearly made that decision.

The Phoenix Suns were one of several teams that began engaging third parties about Stotts' potential interest in their jobs.

Damian Lillard fought for the Blazers to keep Stotts.

"I was asked what I thought, and I just said I love him as a coach," Lillard said. "We all love him." 

Stotts and Neil Olshey have developed an understanding during their time working together.