Blazers blasted for bizarre deal with new head coach Micah Nori

The Portland Trail Blazers entered the offseason searching for stability at head coach, and while they found a new man to put in charge, they have triggered league-wide backlash with how they finalized their hire.

The Blazers signed former Minnesota Timberwolves assistant coach Micah Nori on what was initially described as a multiyear agreement, only for details to reveal a true one-year guaranteed deal with team options and incentive-based pay.

That structure, however, should surprise nobody. Enter world-renowned frugal penny-pincher Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon.

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Since taking over, Dundon has faced repeated criticism for cost-cutting decisions across the organization. The Athletic reported measures such as limiting travel accommodations—no two-way players allowed in postseason trips—cutting staff expenses—salaries down and team broadcasters fired—and previously offering below-market deals to coaching candidates, including interim coach Tiago Splitter before he left for another job—Dundon reportedly refused to offer Splitter more than $1-$1.5 million.

Against that backdrop, the Nori contract just reinforced the growing perception that Portland Tommy D is only and blatantly prioritizing financial flexibility and keeping his pockets safe over long-term investment and building a professional, competitive, let alone winning, basketball team.

J.B. Bickerstaff, head coach of the Detroit Pistons and president of the National Basketball Coaches Association, publicly blasted the Blazers’ approach and deal signed with Nori on Wednesday.

“I understand his story and his journey to get to the spot where he was able to get this opportunity, and I don’t want to take away from what should be a special moment for him, for his family, and a job that’s well deserved and earned,” Bickerstaff told ESPN. “That’s first and foremost.”

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Bickerstaff then emphasized that his criticism was not aimed at Nori, a longtime assistant finally receiving a head-coaching opportunity, but at the conditions attached to it and the precedent set by accepting the deal.

“But I feel like he was put in a situation that he…

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Publish date : 2026-06-25 08:00:00

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