Tom Dundon's Two Words That Should Terrify Trail Blazers Fans After New Coach Hire

Alright, fam, the NBA coaching carousel has been spinning like crazy, and honestly, it's wild out there. Six teams are rolling into the 2026-27 season with new head honchos. Milwaukee snagged Taylor Jenkins to replace Doc Rivers. Then you've got Micah Nori heading to Portland, Dusty May for Dallas, Tiago Splitter to Chicago, Jamahl Mosley to New Orleans, and Sean Sweeney to Orlando. That's a lot of fresh faces, but let's be real, our eyes are always on what's happening up north with those Blazers, right? And what's going on in Rip City is a mess.

Portland's Coaching Drama Just Got a New Chapter

The Blazers had a 42-40 record last season, but ultimately lost in the first round to the San Antonio Spurs. Their coaching situation has been a straight-up soap opera since Chauncey Billups got arrested back in October as part of an FBI investigation into an illegal betting scheme. Tiago Splitter stepped in on an interim basis and, credit where it's due, did a commendable job. But now, Portland has hired Micah Nori, a first-time head coach, to take over. He's been an NBA assistant since 2009, spending the last five seasons as the Timberwolves' lead assistant under Chris Finch, which included five playoff appearances and two trips to the Western Conference finals. Nori even drew national attention when he briefly filled in for an injured Finch during the 2024 playoffs. So, he's got experience. They've got

Trade on Every Game with Kalshi

Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.

some solid talent too, with Deni Avdija, a season's breakout player, and a ton of long athletes, plus Donovan Clingan protecting the rim, which could create a compelling defensive mix.

The Real Problem in Rip City Isn't on the Sidelines

But here's the thing, Nori stepping in doesn't fix the absolute biggest elephant in Portland's locker room, and frankly, it's something that should have Blazers fans absolutely terrified for the future. Tom Dundon officially bought the team in April, and he has been very open about one phrase: cutting costs. Since he took control, Portland has made several moves to shave money off expenditures. We're talking real questions about what his ownership is going to look like. On top of that, the Blazers are nowhere near the talent level of the top teams in the West, and their books are pretty full money-wise for the next couple of seasons. That's also how long Avdija is on a below-market contract before he becomes a free agent. So, they bring in a promising new coach, but the owner's philosophy and the team's financial situation are massive red flags flying over the Rose City. Looking ahead to the new season, it's going to be wild to see how all these coaching changes shake out. For the Blazers, Nori's job is already set to be an uphill battle, not because of his coaching, but because of the deep-seated issues that linger from the top. Can they even compete in the stacked Western Conference with those limitations? It's going to be one heck of a story to follow.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.