Ranking All the Ways New Blazers Owner Tom Dundon Is Reportedly Trying to Save Money During Playoff Run

Key Points:

• The Portland Trail Blazers made the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2021 despite early-season turmoil, including the arrest of coach Chauncey Billups on federal charges, with interim coach Tiago Splitter leading the team.
• New owner Tom Dundon, who purchased the team in March, has drawn widespread criticism for aggressively cutting costs during the Blazers' playoff run, creating distractions and negative media attention.
• Cost-saving measures reportedly include limiting complimentary tickets for staff, not sending team reporters and photographers to away playoff games, excluding two-way players from road trips, and avoiding late hotel checkout fees, all seen as penny-pinching by a billionaire owner.
• The most controversial move is Dundon's pursuit of a low-cost head coach, with reports indicating offers far below standard NBA salaries, raising concerns about the team's future competitiveness and morale.
• While Dundon’s approach has seen success in the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes, his stringent cost-cutting in the NBA is being viewed as detrimental to team culture and public perception during a critical playoff period.