The Portland Trail Blazers recently welcomed Tom Dundon as their new owner, who now oversees two sports franchises after acquiring the team for $4.25 billion. Dundon, who also owns the Carolina Hurricanes, has arrived with ambitious plans to reshape the Blazers. His focus includes making bold roster moves to strengthen the team’s chances of competing at the highest level. One notable revelation is that, if he had been owner earlier, Dundon would have pursued a high-profile trade interest involving Luka Doncic, aiming to bring the star player to Portland.
Although Doncic was only officially offered to the Los Angeles Lakers, insider information shared with Jason Quick of The Athletic suggests Dundon’s eagerness to court Doncic was strong. A source explained, “He brings a swagger,” and added,
“If Tom was the owner last year, he would have been trying to get Luka (Dončić). He would be like, ‘Why should the Lakers have him?’”
—Source to Jason Quick, The Athletic.
Despite this interest, it’s important to note that Doncic has since committed to a contract extension with the Lakers, indicating his satisfaction with the current situation. Convincing him to leave Los Angeles for Portland would likely have been a significant challenge.
Dundon’s Willingness to Make Aggressive Moves in Portland
In recent years, the Trail Blazers have avoided blockbuster trades, but with Dundon at the helm, that trend may shift. He appears ready to make assertive decisions to improve the team roster. However, Dundon must tread carefully to prevent what some call ‘New Owner Syndrome,’ where hasty or ill-advised trades can cause setbacks.
Blazers fans should welcome an owner who is not hesitant to invest financial resources and negotiate ambitious trades for expensive talent. Securing Damian Lillard’s return sets a solid foundation for Dundon’s vision, as having a superstar star in place could help attract other valuable players to Portland. This strategy aims to position the team as a serious contender capable of advancing further in the playoffs than they have in recent seasons.
Implications for Portland’s Future and Team Development
Tom Dundon’s ownership could mark a transformative period for the Trail Blazers, with greater readiness to pursue high-profile players exemplified by the Luka Doncic trade interest. While the star remains with the Lakers for now, Dundon’s aggressive approach signals potential shifts in team building strategies moving forward. As the Blazers balance risk and ambition, fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see how these new leadership decisions affect the franchise’s competitiveness on the court in the near future.