Blazers owner faces allegations of odd budget cuts during NBA playoffs

Cost-Cutting Moves from the New Owner of the Trail Blazers

So, you’ve just spent a whopping $4.25 billion acquiring an NBA team. What are your next steps?

If you’re Tom Dundon, it seems the answer might involve tightening the purse strings.

The new owner of the Trail Blazers is reportedly making decisions that are ruffling some feathers. Recent reports indicate that two-way players have been kept at home during the playoffs, allegedly as a way to save money.

A piece from the Rose Garden Report noted that the team’s choice to leave Caleb Love, Chris Youngblood, and Jason Kent behind instead of bringing them to San Antonio for the first two playoff games against the Spurs was motivated by cost concerns.

The Blazers faced a loss in Game 1 of the series, finishing 111-98.

According to Sean Hikin from The Rose Garden Report, this approach diverges sharply from typical NBA practices. He pointed out that on the first weekend of the playoffs, all other road teams allowed their two-way players to join them—even if they didn’t play. Those players, despite being in street clothes, are still part of the team’s environment.

Since the sale to Dundon was approved in late March, he has come under scrutiny for his spending habits.

Last week, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix reported that during a recent trip to Phoenix, some Trail Blazers staff members checked out of their hotel rooms earlier than usual to avoid late checkout fees, leaving before the team bus headed to the arena.

Additionally, Trail Blazers president Dwayne Hankins mentioned on local news that there are no plans for giveaways, like shirts, for fans if the playoff series returns to Portland. This prompted co-owner Seal Tyle to step in later on social media, insisting, “We’re doing something else.” He added, “Moda will be active in Games 3 and 4.”

On a broader level, it seems the Trail Blazers, under Dundon’s leadership, are looking to limit the annual salary for their next head coach to around $1.5 million. They’ve already begun discussions with at least 20 coaches from college and international teams, according to NBA Insider Jake Fischer.