NBA Coach Tiago Splitter Bound for the Chicago Bulls—Less Than a Year After Snapping Up $3.3 Million Home in Portland

Brazilian NBA coach Tiago Splitter is reportedly set to sign a new contract with the Chicago Bulls just months after he stepped up as the interim coach of the Portland Trail Blazers when his predecessor, Chauney Billups, was arrested over claims he was involved in an illegal poker scheme that had ties to the Mafia.

Splitter, 41, who is originally from Santa Catarina, Brazil, moved to the U.S. to join the NBA in 2010, when he signed a contract with the San Antonio Spurs, before moving on to play with the Atlanta Hawks, and then the Philadelphia 76ers, before retiring from his playing career in 2018.

However, he has since launched a very successful career as an NBA coach, starting with a position with the Brooklyn Nets, before moving to the Houston Rockets. He was hired by the Trail Blazers as the team's assistant coach in June 2025—but quickly stepped up to the head position in the wake of Billups' arrest in October.

Until now, it seemed that Splitter was committed to the Portland team, even investing in a sprawling $3.3 million family home just outside of the city center, which he and his wife, Fernanda Splitter, purchased in August 2025, according to records.

But on June 15, reports began to emerge that the Bulls were in the final stages of finalizing a contract with Splitter to bring him on as their new head coach, according to ESPN.

The outlet reports that Splitter was one of four finalists who met with the Bulls' top officials in recent days—along with Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori, the Hawks' assistant coach Ryan Schmidt, and Chicago's own assistant coach, Wes Unseld Jr.

"They landed on Splitter due to his ability to lead the team's player development, organizational alignment on the franchise's direction and vision, and his leadership and knowledge base as a coach who has risen through the ranks since 2018 and played in the NBA for seven years with one championship with the San Antonio Spurs," ESPN states.

Should the deal be finalized, it will bring to an end Splitter's very short tenure with the Trail Blazers—and could also cut short the time he gets to spend in his newly purchased Oregon dwelling, which is located in Lake Oswego, around a 20-minute drive from the team's home court at the Moda Center.

The NBA coach and his wife, who wed in 2017, purchased the property in August 2025, just two months before Splitter stepped up to fill Billups' spot leading the team—however, he hinted in April of this year that his future with the Trail Blazers was not fully cemented.

Speaking to Oregon Live, Splitter called attention to the fact that his family had laid down permanent roots in the Portland suburb, because they thought that his role with the team would be a "long-term thing," but conceded that his situation had "shifted pretty quick" as a result of Billups' arrest.

"I bought a house. We thought this would be a long-term thing," he said. "Of course, everything shifted pretty quick with the Chauncey stuff. But we’re still thinking that this is our place."

However, by May, reports were emerging that suggested Splitter's days with the Trail Blazers were numbered, with Sports Illustrated noting that the Portland team's decision to prolong its search for a head coach "make it seem like" he would "not be returning" to the squad for the 2026/27 season.

At the time, it was reported that the Trail Blazers were considering five candidates in addition to Splitter, including Utah Jazz assistant coach Mike Williams and Boston Celtics assistant Tyler Lashbrook. It's unclear whether the team has made a decision—or whether Splitter began talks with the Bulls before the Portland side had finished discussions with all its prospective hires.

It also remains to be seen whether Splitter will be as quick to cut ties with his Portland-area residence as he has reportedly been to walk away from the local team.

On the bright side, the coach and his wife scored a pretty impressive deal on the five-bedroom, 6.5-bathroom dwelling, which had originally been listed in for $3.9 million in March 2025, according to records, less than one year after it was completed.

In its original listing description, the property was hailed for offering as much luxury outdoors as it did indoors, with an enormous open-beam patio, complete with an outdoor kitchen and a fireplace, as well as a sparkling swimming pool and spa credited with turning the grounds of the home into a private resort.

Inside, a dramatic double-height foyer set the tone for the luxury to be found throughout the rest of the property, which boasted multiple living spaces across the main floor, including a chef's kitchen packed with high-end appliances, a formal dining area, and a cozy living room with its own fireplace.

The primary suite is located on the main level and was described as offering a private terrace overlooking the backyard, as well as an enormous en suite bathroom with a separate soaking tub and shower.

An in-house elevator made moving between the different levels of the house a very elevated experience, providing easy access to the four second-story bedrooms, each of which feature their own private bathrooms.

The property also boasts several flex spaces, including a "large common area" measuring more than 1,100 square feet, which is located in "an upper wing" and was touted as the perfect place for a gym or party room.

A three-car garage rounds out the many offerings included with the newly built abode.