The Portland Trail Blazers have unfortunately been in the news for the wrong reasons far more often than the right reasons ever since new owner Tom Dundon took over the franchise. Voicing his frustration on X, Blazers insider Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report recently summed it up perfectly:
"On one side of the ledger, the two-way travel stuff, shopping the acting HC's job around during the playoffs, hiring a coach to a contract the NBCA publicly condemned, implicit threats to move the team, gutting the broadcast."
"On the other side, 'Well, his hockey team is good.'"
Tom Dundon isn't making a great first impression in Portland
While it's true Dundon's Carolina Hurricanes recently won the Stanley Cup, I'm not sure that's reassuring for Blazers fans.
First of all, there's no guarantee Dundon's success translates to the NBA when, by his own admission, he's still figuring out the differences. Should fans really feel like the Blazers are on a similar trajectory as the Hurricanes after their "big splash" anticipated this offseason was... checks notes... a negative asset in Ja Morant?
Dundon has said he's "more aggressive than most" when previously discussing the possibility of pulling the trigger on a blockbuster trade in Portland. But so far, we've only seen that aggression in the form of all the cost-cutting measures Highkin previously pointed out.
While it's more likely than not the Blazers remain in Portland due to the logistics and possibility of Dundon bluffing to get the best offer possible, fans have to be uneasy by the fact that relocation becomes increasingly realistic with each new report that comes out.
Zach Lowe makes the case for the Blazers to stay in Portland
At this point, it's not just concerning; it's embarrassing. Dundon has Portland in the national spotlight for all the wrong reasons, to the point where beloved NBA analyst Zach Lowe of The Ringer is even having to plead to the new owner. Here's what the beloved NBA analyst recently said:
"Portland is an awesome NBA market with some fun NBA history," Lowe said. "The NBA needs to not f**k this up. Do not let this guy come in here and hijack this franchise and remove it from Portland. And leave the Pacific Northwest naked of NBA teams until Seattle comes in. Portland's an awesome market, their fans are better than this, they don't deserve this."
Ultimately, everything on both sides comes down to money. But cutting through the greed is someone with nothing to gain: Lowe. A true sicko of the game who understands that the NBA is better when there's a franchise in Portland.
These fans are awesome, and they punch well above their weight.
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