What happened: Portland's three-year contract for new head coach Micah Nori includes team options in both Year 2 and Year 3, an atypical structure for a head-coaching deal. Nori takes over the Trail Blazers after leaving his post in Minnesota, filling what was the NBA's final coaching vacancy this offseason.

Why it matters: Team options in the second and third seasons hand Portland the flexibility to move on without owing the full term, an unusual safety valve for a coach stepping into a lead role. The structure points to a measured commitment as the franchise turns the bench over to Nori ahead of the 2026-27 season.

What to watch: Watch how Portland assembles Nori's staff and shapes the roster around him before the 2026-27 season opens.