Overview
- The team made the hire official on Friday, naming Sarama the first head coach as Portland accelerates its 2026 launch with Černivec and newly appointed VP Ashley Battle in place.
- Sarama is currently an assistant coach and director of player development with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he will remain there while both teams finalize his transition.
- Portland briefly revealed the move earlier in the week with a premature LinkedIn post that was deleted before the formal announcement.
- Known for a Constraints-Led Approach that stresses adaptability and decision-making, Sarama founded Transforming Basketball and authored the book of the same name.
- The Fire will debut in 2026 alongside the Toronto Tempo, and the league has not set expansion-draft or free-agency dates as teams await a new collective bargaining agreement.