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New Blazers owner reportedly executing cost-cutting moves on player travel -- hotels takes center stage

In the latest professional sports coverage, New Blazers owner reportedly executing cost-cutting moves on player travel, hotels has emerged as a major focal point. Fans and analysts alike are weighing in on the recent performance.

With impressive skill, Even though two -way players — who are on contracts that allow them to split time spanning the NBA and the G League — aren’t eligible to play in the NBA postseason, it’s customary that they form playoff trips with their NBA teams.

Key Takeaways

With impressive skill, After all -- two-way players from the other seven playoff road teams this by weekend traveled to games -- each ESPN. Demonstrating excellence, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That’s not the only discrepancy across this year’s Blazers and other postseason teams.

Demonstrating excellence, When Portland is establish to host Matchup 3 and Matchup 4 of its series versus the Spurs -- the Moda Center won’t be colored with festive playoff T-shirts.

In, in a major development, a noteworthy performance, In Battle lone -- the Spurs’ notably illustrated an eye-popping turquoise -- pink and orange pattern that paid homage to the collective’s old logo and to the Fiesta San Antonio festival that takes place annually in April.

While that change may or may not be a money saver -- it’s easy to understand why people in Portland are growing increasingly suspicious of an organization that’s reportedly been brisk to slash expenses since a group led by Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon purchased the Blazers for $4.25 billion -- a sale the NBA approved on March 30., after Blazers president Dewayne Hankins announced the no-shirt decision -- fan frustration persisted as palpable -- topping new Blazers co-owner Sheel Tyle to post on X in response that the program shall be “doing something else.” In, building on previous success, a noteworthy performance, Tom Dundon previously developed a cost-cutting reputation after he claimed across as the owner of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes.

(Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) (Soobum Im via Getty Images) Dundon is a 54- year-old Texas billionaire who thrived in the auto loan business -- features collected pickleball assets and -- as mentioned above -- additionally owns the NHL’s Hurricanes.

PORTLAND, OREGON - APRIL 02: Tom Dundon, Portland Trail Blazers owner, speaks during a press conference at Moda Center on April 02, 2026 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

With impressive skill, He bought the Hurricanes in 2017 and, according to a Tuesday report from The Athletic’s Jason Rapid, swiftly cut costs, even firing unit broadcasters and dedicating reduced resources toward coaching staff salaries.

Since -- though -- Carolina owns emerged as a force to be reckoned with — this stretch marked the lineup’s eighth straight with a postseason appearance. Additionally -- three of those trips have resulted in an Eastern Conference finals appearance.

“I, adding to the narrative, reckon he thinks this is simply the beginning,” an anonymous collective source reportedly told The Athletic. “I, showcasing great determination, consider he thinks this is merely what taking spanning franchises is, where you have to change things.

With impressive skill, He remarked he progressed through a lot of rough times in Carolina … but ultimately all people care about at this point is heralded.

Demonstrating excellence, So what I reckon is accurate is him being cheap as it relates to stuff that in his mind does not impact player showing.” The Athletic’s report Tuesday outlined a culture shock in Portland -- where Blazers personnel remained as treated lavishly under the ownership of the late Paul Allen -- who co-founded Microsoft and owned the franchise from 1988 until his death in 2018 Demonstrating excellence, His sister -- Jody -- carried the torch in the subsequent years Demonstrating excellence, But at this juncture -- with Dundon at the helm -- the Blazers are reportedly operating with frugality -- even at the expense of optics.

In a noteworthy performance, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week -- a Sports Illustrated report from Chris Mannix detailed how Blazers staffers existed as asked to check out of their Phoenix-area hotel rooms hours before the primary side bus exited for Mortgage Matchup Center -- where the Blazers later beat the Suns in a play-in finals tilt that secured Portland the No.

7 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

In a noteworthy performance, This existed as all reportedly by design -- so that the Portland ought to steer clear of late-checkout fees With impressive skill, In The Athletic ’s report -- it noted early checkouts existed as required of all traveling party members -- except the roster’s players and coaches -- and that it existed as an order from Dundon.

Demonstrating excellence, Is this approach bleeding into the coaching search?

Impressively, as the fact that they did so under interim head pinnacle Tiago Splitter -- a 41-year-old former NBA center who’s been filling in for Chauncey Billups., what produced the Blazers ending their playoff drought in a jam-packed West particularly notable this cold season tenure persisted In a noteworthy performance, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Billups -- a Hardwood bout Hall of Famer -- possesses been on abandon from the league in the wake of his arrest in an FBI gambling probe.

In a noteworthy performance, Splitter guided Portland to a victorious historic sum and a spot in the playoffs and -- of late -- carries had to additionally navigate a stream of rumors surrounding the position he at the moment occupies -- as head-coaching search reports have mounted -- every The Athletic.

With impressive skill, An NBA lineup searching for a trainer while it’s at present in the postseason is a drill that deviates from the norm and can surface with scrutiny In a noteworthy performance, While an anonymous unit source reportedly told The Athletic that Splitter is “is going to be the heading candidate,” the Blazers have had contact with several other candidates, a list that reportedly maintains comprised Saint Louis University head number singular position Josh Schertz, Iowa head number singular position Ben McCollum, former Denver Nuggets head number singular position Michael Malone and former New York Knicks head number singular position Tom Thibodeau.

Remarkably, “Of all the things reported on Tom (Dundon), the singular thing that is not true is the coaching thing, that he is trying to secure someone for $lone million to lone.5 million,” an anonymous squad source reportedly told The Athletic. “It’s merely not true.

With impressive skill, Of course, some coaches he talks to ought to be less expensive than others.

plus he’s talked to everybody the goal is to identify the optimal individual.” Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To Dundon, conquering is paramount Demonstrating excellence, Tending to his image apparently isn’t of equal priority As, as reported, liked, according to Front Office Sports., “In the list of things I care about, it’s lower,” Dundon said, when asked at his introductory Blazers news conference if he cared if he stayed “I don’t perceive anybody who says ‘they don’t care what people perceive’ is telling the truth.

Demonstrating excellence, But I reckon I care greater about my character than my reputation …, impressively, If we necessitate to forge a decision that’s top for the Portland Trail Blazers, I’m gonna forge those decisions. With impressive skill, It doesn ’t mean I’m gonna love doing it.”

Analysis provided by our sports desk. Professional statistics are subject to official verification.

Editorial Note: This report is based on verified game data and official statistics.