Portland Trail Blazers Owner's Cost-Cutting Measures Become NBA Joke

Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon has become the subject of widespread jokes across the NBA due to his recent cost-cutting measures. These actions, which have also fueled speculation about the team's future in Portland amid disputes with the city over arena renovations, have made both Dundon and Danny Avdija's team a punchline.

Chris Vernon, host of "The Mismatch" podcast, shared a joke that even amused player Jeremy Grant, who was recently traded from Portland to Memphis. Vernon told Grant that he "saved him" with the trade because "if he had stayed in Portland, he would have had to pay for his parking this year." Vernon recounted Grant's positive reaction to the joke.

Among Dundon's cost-saving initiatives were reducing staff, avoiding late checkout fees for staff on road games, preventing two-way contract players from traveling to playoff road games, and allocating a low salary for the head coach, with Mikee Nori signing a one-year deal.

Vernon also touched on the trade of Jah Morant, noting that after seven years, he was no longer part of Memphis's media day. He contrasted this with players like Damian Lillard discussing life with him, and fans of other teams looking at their stars, suggesting that seeing Morant in new uniforms made the situation feel real.