Julius Thomas Draws NBA Attention After Successful Stint with Paris Basketball

Julius Thomas, the 28-year-old head coach of Paris Basketball, is drawing NBA interest following a successful 2024-25 season in France. According to reports from Greece, Thomas has received a staff offer from the Portland Trail Blazers, contingent on Tiago Splitter being named the team’s head coach. Thomas is expected to make a decision after the conclusion of Paris Basketball’s domestic season.

Thomas led Paris Basketball to a 22-10 record in the French LNB this season, securing a top-four finish and a spot in the playoffs. His coaching acumen was on full display as he guided a young roster to consistent performances in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues. The team averaged 82.3 points per game, ranking in the top five in offensive efficiency among LNB teams.

Thomas worked closely with Splitter during the 2024-25 season, building a strong mentor-mentee relationship. Splitter, a former NBA veteran and current Portland assistant, is widely expected to be promoted to head coach following the departure of Chauncey Billups. If Splitter moves into the head coaching role, Thomas would join the Blazers’ staff, bringing valuable international experience and a fresh perspective to the organization.

Thomas’s rise in European basketball has not gone unnoticed. After beginning his coaching career in the G League and overseas, he took over as head coach of Paris Basketball in 2023. Under his guidance, the team improved by seven wins from the previous season and developed a more cohesive identity on both ends of the floor.

Sources close to the situation indicate that Thomas is currently weighing his options. He is expected to remain in Paris until the end of the LNB playoffs, which are scheduled to conclude in late June. A decision on his NBA future is likely to be made in early July.

Portland is in a transitional phase after a disappointing 2024-25 campaign that saw the team finish with a 28-54 record. The Blazers are actively reshaping their front office and coaching staff ahead of the 2025-26 season. Adding Thomas to the mix could provide the kind of international insight and youth development expertise the franchise has been seeking.

Thomas’s potential move to the NBA would mark a significant step in his coaching career and could set a precedent for other young international coaches looking to make the jump. With his background in both the U.S. and European basketball systems, he represents a new wave of talent entering the NBA coaching ranks.

Paris Basketball will continue its pursuit of a LNB title, but the club is aware of Thomas’s NBA aspirations. They have not publicly commented on whether they plan to retain him beyond this season. Thomas’s next steps will become clearer once the playoffs conclude and Portland finalizes its coaching staff.