As the relationship between Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon and the city of Portland continues to deteriorate, the possibility of relocation becomes more realistic.
Dundon has used new stadium plans from other teams to reinforce his stance, making the talks all the more real as he continues to lobby for taxpayer-funded renovations. Unfortunately for the owner, however, the looming NBA expansion creates a massive hurdle. The two most sports-ready cities, Las Vegas and Seattle, are being reserved for brand-new teams as rather than relocation, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
As if on command, another city spoke up about their desire to host an NBA franchise, and it might just give Dundon the leverage he needs.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas firmly thrust his city's name into the conversation on Friday.
“I think we could easily support an NBA team, and I think as conversations go on, either for franchises themselves looking for different places or for NBA expansion... That’s a conversation that Kansas City wants to be in,” he said.
Kansas City might be Trail Blazers' only hope to avoid a bluff call
Though not yet the 11th hour, Mayor Lucas' declaration has come at just the right time, and turns Dundon's once-empty threats into a realistic possibility.
Without a legitimate alternative, Dundon would be left with empty threats, as the two best options for NBA franchises have been deemed off the table in the eyes of commissioner Adam Silver. With that in mind, it is not too unthinkable that Kansas City could support another professional sports team.
The Chiefs have clearly prospered since moving to Missouri in 1963, and the city is coming off a summer in which they just successfully played host to the FIFA World Cup. Along with their beloved football team, the city also supports the MLB's Royals and the MLS's Sporting Kansas City.
At worst, the mayor's suggestion gives Dundon a bit of an upper hand in his negotiations with the city. The Moda Center is, by all intents and purposes, one of the stadiums in most need of a makeover, and it appears that the businessman is keen on getting it done.
Trail Blazers reminding Adam Silver of harsh reality
While the NBA's commissioner eagerly awaits a 32-team league, the Trail Blazers' situation is a necessary reminder that the sport's quality is just as important as its quantity.
There is indeed enough nationwide demand to justify expansion, but there are also current franchises in need of upgrades and fair treatment. Portland is far from the only small- to mid-market city that houses a professional team, and Dundon could quietly be paving the way for more mid-level teams to make noise when they aren't receiving the treatment they deserve.
The rest of the league will likely be keeping tabs on how this squabble plays out. If Dundon decides to ship his team elsewhere, it would be a shocking, albeit essential move that could create the framework for more relocation fluidity for other overlooked teams.
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