Breaking: Blazers sold to Tom Dundon

[Village Idiot]

I'm pretty skeptical of that, but obviously I'm speculating.

Again, I don't think Silver was riffing out random comments when he said Portland likely needs a new arena and it was only the NBA's "preference" the Blazers remain in Portland. Those were shots directly across the bow of local governments' assumptions and I'd bet they were based on feedback Silver got from the prospective buyers and maybe from the Vulcans as well

so if the new owners, backed by the NBA, want a new arena, they aren't going to participate financially and sign off on a Moda renovation. And the city won't start a 1B renovation project on an aging arena the new owners don't want to occupy long term

maybe I'm all wet and the Dundon group will be fine with a major renovation of the Moda. But I think the Moda's location is the biggest issue and you can't really renovate location

Yeah, could be a new arena...although the current site makes some sense with the MC gone. More to my point, I think the "messy" that Duster mentioned between the Group's money and public money. I expect the public to pay for around a Billion toward whatever is decided. That's just based on a cursory look at other similar-ish situations, and how the money division played out.

usually, a city will 'pay for', or provide the land. And supply utilities, streets, access, permits, etc.. And the franchise will pay for the structure/building enabling them to get the full impact of depreciation schedules and tax breaks. Obviously there's going to be overlap in some of those costs, probably going both directions. I don't know enough about Portland to identify the best site for a new arena. But the area around the Moda just doesn't seem to offer enough for ancillary business expansion. Maybe my imagination is limited

I would say that you can renovate location. The Rose Garden area and the MC specifically has been identified long-term as a probable location for a train station for a hypothetical high speed rail line. The current situation of crossing the Willamette twice and the slow going under the Steel Bridge (which won´t last forever) would mean a straight shot rail alignment directly under the Rose Garden complex. Add to that sll the juicy land along the river where the grain elevators are, the enormous plot the city owns North of Broadway and the value of Union Station and adjacent tracks, and you are potentially looking at some very interesting developmment opportunities.

[DusterBuster]

Interesting tidbit, Tom Dundon approached Mark Cuban about being in the ownership group of the Blazers. No “inside sources”, quotes directly from Cuban. Said he and Dundon are close friends, but he passed because he only wants to be a majority owner of a team moving forward… guessing he was really burned how the Mavericks situation turned out when he went down to minority owner and they basically froze him out of all decision making minutes later.

https://www.si.com/nba/mavericks/news/mark-cuban-reveals-skipped-new-nba-ownership-dallas-mavericks-sale-

[Wizenheimer]

Yeah, could be a new arena...although the current site makes some sense with the MC gone. More to my point, I think the "messy" that Duster mentioned between the Group's money and public money. I expect the public to pay for around a Billion toward whatever is decided. That's just based on a cursory look at other similar-ish situations, and how the money division played out.

usually, a city will 'pay for', or provide the land. And supply utilities, streets, access, permits, etc.. And the franchise will pay for the structure/building enabling them to get the full impact of depreciation schedules and tax breaks. Obviously there's going to be overlap in some of those costs, probably going both directions. I don't know enough about Portland to identify the best site for a new arena. But the area around the Moda just doesn't seem to offer enough for ancillary business expansion. Maybe my imagination is limited

I would say that you can renovate location. The Rose Garden area and the MC specifically has been identified long-term as a probable location for a train station for a hypothetical high speed rail line. The current situation of crossing the Willamette twice and the slow going under the Steel Bridge (which won´t last forever) would mean a straight shot rail alignment directly under the Rose Garden complex. Add to that sll the juicy land along the river where the grain elevators are, the enormous plot the city owns North of Broadway and the value of Union Station and adjacent tracks, and you are potentially looking at some very interesting developmment opportunities.

maybe....I'm skeptical because the logistics of fitting in around the freeways, major roads, and railroads would be really expensive; and awkward. I-5 at that location is about 80% obstacle and 20% access; at least it is from my recollection. The railroad tracks make it worse.

since the city owns the Moda, I'm assuming Dundon & Associates won't want to pay for renovations of the Moda; or at least not pay for much of it and that probably depends on whether or not they really want a new arena at a 'better' site. If the City is paying for a major Moda renovation, which could be in the 500M-1B range (probably closer to 1B), and then also footing the bill for demolition of the MC, grain elevators, etc.; and also paying for all the roads/bridges/off-on ramps; underground utilities, paving, etc, we could be talking 1.5-2B dollars; maybe more. And with all the existing obstacles and the Moda renovation needing to be phased because the Blazers have no alternative home, we could also be talking a lot of years till completion. Probably well more than 5 years; which means escalating expenses over initial budget estimates. That happens every time

my point is that renovating the Moda and also renovating the surrounding location may end up costing the city twice as much as being partners on a new arena somewhere else

again, maybe the new owners will be fine with cheaper renovations of the Moda over a 2-4 year period. But also again, I think Silver already had some feedback on the situation when he made his comments. It won't cost the city much to approach the new owners with some king of renovation plan, but I remain skeptical that's what the new owners want

[DusterBuster]

Some more sale tidbits from the Athletic article by Quick:

"The deal still has to be approved by the NBA’s Board of Governors at a later date, but no sooner than 90 days from Friday. The closing date for the sale is scheduled for March 31, 2026, but the investment group is hoping to move to finalize the transaction sooner."

So the absolute dead earliest finalization would be early/mid December. The time between Dec 11th (90 days from the Friday referenced - Sept 12) and March 31st will be interesting.

I don't know the legal rules around a new owner coming in and his ability to talk to current staff employed by the outgoing ownership group, so it's impossible to say right now what might be happening behind closed doors / in phone calls. Assuming that there may be some barriers to him discussing the roster with current employees, it would seem reasonable he has other unemployed long-time NBA advisors he's talking to. Clearly he's already been talking some to other owners like Cuban (tho that seems to just clearly be a previous relationship thing).

It'll be pretty interest if they can get a sale done in say... January. If the team is pretty lifeless and directionless and he's already been talking to a GM-esque person from now til then, one has to imagine he's already been spitballing ideas with that person. Could we see a mid-season firing of Cronin and Co? I don't suspect they would do it without something absolutely ready within minutes to sign papers and take on the role, but if he has that guy on the sidelines somewhere who he's already talking with and continues to do so into the season...

Quite honestly, the more I think on it too, I could even see him pulling the tigger on that post-deadline if the sale doesn't officially go through until March. Easier to let a GM go post deadline and still a few months before the draft. Kind of a more/less dead spot for league execs anyway.

I'm starting to come around to the belief that Dundon is gonna play pretty fast and loose with his shiny new toy. As we've discussed earlier, I think Cronin has had enough time to show what his plan is for this team and it's so far been somewhat aimless of a plan, so unless it finally clicks this year and showing they're going to be the next up and coming team around Dec/Jan, I think the FO staff could be a pretty quick pull of the ripcord, again, especially if there's already been talk with Dundon and an outside GM-like advisor who can take the wheel almost immediately. I don't suspect Dundon is going to fire Cronin and then go through some exhaustive candidate search. I think he'll stick with whats here for a little more or get his own guy in with fairly short notice.

I think Billups will have a bit more runway with the team. If, continuing with the premise that it's a rough season, the team misses even the play-in again, I suspect they let Billups go shortly after the horn sounds on the last game of the season and said new GM picks his own coach.

If this is how things play out... from there on, anything should be considered on the table from a roster standpoint next summer. I don't think you're going to see a single player or asset considered untouchable and you could see some major fireworks.

[oldfishermen]

As soon as Dundon is handed the keys, I'm 99% sure he will place one or more of his people within the Blazers organization. Starting with the accounting/finance dept. He will need his people to coordinate an efficient cash flow between his companys. As well as blend accounting methods.

After that, who knows? Once he has eyes and ears inside the Blazers, anything can happen.

Few new owners have the previous sports ownership experience Dundon has. I would not be suprised if he makes changes no one sees coming.

Until then, going to enjoy the season, and not waste my tiime trying to predict what Dundon will do.

[DusterBuster]

As soon as Dundon is handed the keys, I'm 99% sure he will place one or more of his people within the Blazers organization. Starting with the accounting/finance dept. He will need his people to coordinate an efficient cash flow between his companys. As well as blend accounting methods.

I would assume this kind of goes without saying. Vulcan handled all financing and accounting of everything, so absolutely first thing is that going in place and I'd assume most (if not all) of the prep work currently happening is around that switchover of Vulcan to the Dundon Group. That's the biggest priority just as a business enterprise to have happen as smoothly as possible.

Actual basketball decision people on the other hand aren't an immediate of a Day 1, Hour 1, Minute 1, Second 1 hotswap necessity like the business side people are.

After that, who knows? Once he has eyes and ears inside the Blazers, anything can happen.

Few new owners have the previous sports ownership experience Dundon has. I would not be suprised if he makes changes no one sees coming.

Until then, going to enjoy the season, and not waste my tiime trying to predict what Dundon will do.

This is by far the best thing to do. Mostly just pontificating because it's boring time for the NBA, I'm not a huge football fan and the rest of the internet is a cesspool atm. Truly tho, you're correct, it's pretty much pointless/useless to bother trying to predict what he will do. Probably fair to say any and all options are on the table and without inside knowledge or reporting of what Dundon is thinking or who he's talking to, we're all just guessing.

[zzaj]

Soooooort of related, but I had somehow missed that once the city got involved with the Arena and surrounding land, they also went into a 5 year "bridge lease" agreement with Moda health that extends to 2030. This offers both parties a chance to negotiate a new agreement. It's not entirely clear to me if under this new lease the opportunity is there for other businesses to outbid Moda and for Portland to end the bridge lease early--I would imagine so.

Moda I think is managed by Rip City Management, which is owned by the PA estate. Since it's a business entity separate from the Blazers, I wonder if that will also end up being sold to Dundon as part of the Blazer package--I would imagine so. It would be kinda weird for Dundon not to have a say in naming rights for the Arena, and for that to remain in the hands of the PA estate.

[wco81]

Moda is not just some naming rights contract?

In any event, every time a new arena goes up, they seem to sign a new sponsor for the naming rights.

[zzaj]

Moda is not just some naming rights contract?

In any event, every time a new arena goes up, they seem to sign a new sponsor for the naming rights.

I think it was a 10 year naming rights contract between Moda Health and the Trail Blazers that expired in 2023. Apparently, the PA estate signed a bridge agreement this year that takes it into 2030. I would assume all of that business transfers over to Dudon. He or someone he appoints will likely be the new head of Rip City Management, which manages the Arena. The bridge agreement allows for renegotiation, but not sure if that means some other company can swoop in and nab renaming rights before 2030. I would assume so...

[Wizenheimer]

Moda is not just some naming rights contract?

In any event, every time a new arena goes up, they seem to sign a new sponsor for the naming rights.

I think it was a 10 year naming rights contract between Moda Health and the Trail Blazers that expired in 2023. Apparently, the PA estate signed a bridge agreement this year that takes it into 2030. I would assume all of that business transfers over to Dudon. He or someone he appoints will likely be the new head of Rip City Management, which manages the Arena. The bridge agreement allows for renegotiation, but not sure if that means some other company can swoop in and nab renaming rights before 2030. I would assume so...

wasn't that bridge agreement the primary vehicle for the Blazers selling the Moda to the city for one dollar?

[zzaj]

Moda is not just some naming rights contract?

In any event, every time a new arena goes up, they seem to sign a new sponsor for the naming rights.

I think it was a 10 year naming rights contract between Moda Health and the Trail Blazers that expired in 2023. Apparently, the PA estate signed a bridge agreement this year that takes it into 2030. I would assume all of that business transfers over to Dudon. He or someone he appoints will likely be the new head of Rip City Management, which manages the Arena. The bridge agreement allows for renegotiation, but not sure if that means some other company can swoop in and nab renaming rights before 2030. I would assume so...

wasn't that bridge agreement the primary vehicle for the Blazers selling the Moda to the city for one dollar?

Maybe, although that seems reversed? I think the sale to the city happened in 2024? And the bridge agreement must have happened this year if it's a 5 year agreement and it ends in 2030?

I am certainly NOT the person who knows about these things. Not sure it really matters much anyway. If Dundon is hell-bent on naming rights going to a different company, I'm sure his legal team will find a way to make it happen.

[Wizenheimer]

I think it was a 10 year naming rights contract between Moda Health and the Trail Blazers that expired in 2023. Apparently, the PA estate signed a bridge agreement this year that takes it into 2030. I would assume all of that business transfers over to Dudon. He or someone he appoints will likely be the new head of Rip City Management, which manages the Arena. The bridge agreement allows for renegotiation, but not sure if that means some other company can swoop in and nab renaming rights before 2030. I would assume so...

wasn't that bridge agreement the primary vehicle for the Blazers selling the Moda to the city for one dollar?

Maybe, although that seems reversed? I think the sale to the city happened in 2024? And the bridge agreement must have happened this year if it's a 5 year agreement and it ends in 2030?

I am certainly NOT the person who knows about these things. Not sure it really matters much anyway. If Dundon is hell-bent on naming rights going to a different company, I'm sure his legal team will find a way to make it happen.

"Yes, the City of Portland and the Portland Trail Blazers finalized a five-year bridge agreement" in August 2024, which extends the team's lease at the Moda Center through the 2030 season with an option for another five years, while also establishing the City's ownership of the arena for $1 and a land purchase. The agreement allows more time to negotiate a long-term partnership, includes plans for arena improvements funded by a spectator fund, and requires the Blazers to remain in Portland. "

I have a suspicion that agreement has loopholes galore

[PDXKnight]

wasn't that bridge agreement the primary vehicle for the Blazers selling the Moda to the city for one dollar?

Maybe, although that seems reversed? I think the sale to the city happened in 2024? And the bridge agreement must have happened this year if it's a 5 year agreement and it ends in 2030?

I am certainly NOT the person who knows about these things. Not sure it really matters much anyway. If Dundon is hell-bent on naming rights going to a different company, I'm sure his legal team will find a way to make it happen.

"Yes, the City of Portland and the Portland Trail Blazers finalized a five-year bridge agreement" in August 2024, which extends the team's lease at the Moda Center through the 2030 season with an option for another five years, while also establishing the City's ownership of the arena for $1 and a land purchase. The agreement allows more time to negotiate a long-term partnership, includes plans for arena improvements funded by a spectator fund, and requires the Blazers to remain in Portland. "

I have a suspicion that agreement has loopholes galore

With lots of local ties in this deal I think theres reason for hope

[Wizenheimer]

Maybe, although that seems reversed? I think the sale to the city happened in 2024? And the bridge agreement must have happened this year if it's a 5 year agreement and it ends in 2030?

I am certainly NOT the person who knows about these things. Not sure it really matters much anyway. If Dundon is hell-bent on naming rights going to a different company, I'm sure his legal team will find a way to make it happen.

"Yes, the City of Portland and the Portland Trail Blazers finalized a five-year bridge agreement" in August 2024, which extends the team's lease at the Moda Center through the 2030 season with an option for another five years, while also establishing the City's ownership of the arena for $1 and a land purchase. The agreement allows more time to negotiate a long-term partnership, includes plans for arena improvements funded by a spectator fund, and requires the Blazers to remain in Portland. "

I have a suspicion that agreement has loopholes galore

With lots of local ties in this deal I think theres reason for hope

the odds have always been that the Blazers remain in Portland. But I don't think local ties mean anything for people in the top-10% of the top 1 percent.

I do believe there's a real possibility of friction about the new-arena vs Moda-renovation issue

[tblazrdude]

I do believe there's a real possibility of friction about the new-arena vs Moda-renovation issue

Agreed. I think people are overlooking that there is going to be a fairly public process about taxypayer money going to a private group like this one, and folks are conflating good faith intention (which I believe all of the parties have, at this point), with the realties of how the process will play out with city stakeholders and the taxpayers over the next few years.

I'm hopeful but concerned, and I don't think that's an unfounded worry or anything.

[zzaj]

I do believe there's a real possibility of friction about the new-arena vs Moda-renovation issue

Agreed. I think people are overlooking that there is going to be a fairly public process about taxypayer money going to a private group like this one, and folks are conflating good faith intention (which I believe all of the parties have, at this point), with the realties of how the process will play out with city stakeholders and the taxpayers over the next few years.

I'm hopeful but concerned, and I don't think that's an unfounded worry or anything.

Also agreed that it's going to get messy.

On a side note, looks like a few thousand people showed up to the Lillard, Rip City "homecoming" event at Pioneer Square yesterday. Those are some loyal Blazer fans...love to see it.

Watch on YouTube

[DusterBuster]

I do believe there's a real possibility of friction about the new-arena vs Moda-renovation issue

Agreed. I think people are overlooking that there is going to be a fairly public process about taxypayer money going to a private group like this one, and folks are conflating good faith intention (which I believe all of the parties have, at this point), with the realties of how the process will play out with city stakeholders and the taxpayers over the next few years.

I'm hopeful but concerned, and I don't think that's an unfounded worry or anything.

Also agreed that it's going to get messy.

On a side note, looks like a few thousand people showed up to the Lillard, Rip City "homecoming" event at Pioneer Square yesterday. Those are some loyal Blazer fans...love to see it.

Watch on YouTube

I was a bit concerned tbh what the turnout might be for this. Concerned maybe being too strong of a word, but you get my drift.

This whole offseason and into this season just seems like it's going to be... weird. So you have kind of a weird limbo season for the Blazers with the sale, the Dame signing buzz is almost 3mo past its due date, NFL season in full swing and NBA news pretty much non-existent (outside of the Clippers drama), plus Dame not playing this season ... the whole thing felt a little awkwardly timed. Then seeing the crowed when the event started and was like 15-20min it, PCS looked pretty sparse.

But by the time Dame actually got on stage, seeing how packed it was was awesome. Really happy to see how much the fans turned out to welcome him back, still such a great story imo.

It'll be interesting to see how Dame's relationship with the franchises evolves with the new ownership group. There's a non-zero chance the new ownership group won't be very sentimental about Dame. I think they'll stick with him into next season to see what he's like post-injury. If he's a 20+ppg scorer like he was pre-injury and on a MLE contract, that's a deal any owner would be stupid to get rid of. But if Dame's struggling... I question if Dundon is going to be local to Dame the way the Allen ownership group was. I'm hoping it doesn't turn into a Clyde Drexler 2.0 situation...

[Wizenheimer]

I was a bit concerned tbh what the turnout might be for this. Concerned maybe being too strong of a word, but you get my drift.

This whole offseason and into this season just seems like it's going to be... weird. So you have kind of a weird limbo season for the Blazers with the sale, the Dame signing buzz is almost 3mo past its due date, NFL season in full swing and NBA news pretty much non-existent (outside of the Clippers drama), plus Dame not playing this season ... the whole thing felt a little awkwardly timed. Then seeing the crowed when the event started and was like 15-20min it, PCS looked pretty sparse.

But by the time Dame actually got on stage, seeing how packed it was was awesome. Really happy to see how much the fans turned out to welcome him back, still such a great story imo.

It'll be interesting to see how Dame's relationship with the franchises evolves with the new ownership group. There's a non-zero chance the new ownership group won't be very sentimental about Dame. I think they'll stick with him into next season to see what he's like post-injury. If he's a 20+ppg scorer like he was pre-injury and on a MLE contract, that's a deal any owner would be stupid to get rid of. But if Dame's struggling... I question if Dundon is going to be local to Dame the way the Allen ownership group was. I'm hoping it doesn't turn into a Clyde Drexler 2.0 situation...

calling it a "weird" off-season may actually be a bit of an understatement

it wasn't weird in a bad way, at least not mostly. I mean, personally, the two players I was sick of seeing in Blazer uniforms were Simons and Ayton. And I was concerned that they were going to be re-signed. Instead they were moved, and their absence will be much appreciated by me and I'd say a majority of Blazer fans.

and of course, the announcement of the pending sale. And as usual, we have Adam Silver's comments about a new arena and "preference" spicing up the sale news

* making it weirder is that the Blazers now have a pair of 35 year old PG's standing in front of, or maybe alongside, a 3rd pick PG who has been pretty disappointing gauged against his massive pre-draft hype. And one of those aging PG's won't even play this season

* and the Blazers using two straight drafts to add two redundant slow-footed 7+ foot C's incapable of switching to perimeter on D

* and the very real possibility that a 7th pick in his 4th season, and a 3rd pick in his 3rd season, will both be backups this year

and looking at this team and realizing that the ceiling for this season may very well be a play-in berth; and that the 'apparent' options moving forward don't really offer a path to anything higher than pretender, and that's in a best case scenario. Well, while I'll be interested and watching with more enthusiasm than I have for a few seasons, my hopes for the future are more tied to what Dundon might do than to the ceiling of the current roster

[DusterBuster]

I was a bit concerned tbh what the turnout might be for this. Concerned maybe being too strong of a word, but you get my drift.

This whole offseason and into this season just seems like it's going to be... weird. So you have kind of a weird limbo season for the Blazers with the sale, the Dame signing buzz is almost 3mo past its due date, NFL season in full swing and NBA news pretty much non-existent (outside of the Clippers drama), plus Dame not playing this season ... the whole thing felt a little awkwardly timed. Then seeing the crowed when the event started and was like 15-20min it, PCS looked pretty sparse.

But by the time Dame actually got on stage, seeing how packed it was was awesome. Really happy to see how much the fans turned out to welcome him back, still such a great story imo.

It'll be interesting to see how Dame's relationship with the franchises evolves with the new ownership group. There's a non-zero chance the new ownership group won't be very sentimental about Dame. I think they'll stick with him into next season to see what he's like post-injury. If he's a 20+ppg scorer like he was pre-injury and on a MLE contract, that's a deal any owner would be stupid to get rid of. But if Dame's struggling... I question if Dundon is going to be local to Dame the way the Allen ownership group was. I'm hoping it doesn't turn into a Clyde Drexler 2.0 situation...

calling it a "weird" off-season may actually be a bit of an understatement

it wasn't weird in a bad way, at least not mostly. I mean, personally, the two players I was sick of seeing in Blazer uniforms were Simons and Ayton. And I was concerned that they were going to be re-signed. Instead they were moved, and their absence will be much appreciated by me and I'd say a majority of Blazer fans.

and of course, the announcement of the pending sale. And as usual, we have Adam Silver's comments about a new arena and "preference" spicing up the sale news

* making it weirder is that the Blazers now have a pair of 35 year old PG's standing in front of, or maybe alongside, a 3rd pick PG who has been pretty disappointing gauged against his massive pre-draft hype. And one of those aging PG's won't even play this season

* and the Blazers using two straight drafts to add two redundant slow-footed 7+ foot C's incapable of switching to perimeter on D

* and the very real possibility that a 7th pick in his 4th season, and a 3rd pick in his 3rd season, will both be backups this year

and looking at this team and realizing that the ceiling for this season may very well be a play-in berth; and that the 'apparent' options moving forward don't really offer a path to anything higher than pretender, and that's in a best case scenario. Well, while I'll be interested and watching with more enthusiasm than I have for a few seasons, my hopes for the future are more tied to what Dundon might do than to the ceiling of the current roster

I've made similar posts echoing these same thoughts. I've called this a "weird" offseason a lot since June/July, but not in a bad way... just a lot of moves that make you go... huh.

I get the pessimism of this roster as currently constructed, I'm still waiting to see what kind of player development we see from the young guys this year before putting any artificial cap on what I think they can do. Play in would seemingly be that cap, I agree, but also ... weird **** happens in the NBA. There are unexpected developments that could really change the landscape of the West. I'm more bullish on Camara's game really coming around offensively this year than most. I don't put the glass ceiling on him others do here. We've also simply haven't seen a Blazers team built around a forward like Deni in a long long long time, certainly not in the last 10+ years.

So if things click, I think they could give teams more trouble than we're giving them credit for with their mix of size and defense. Offense is the thing we're all holding our breath about right now. It's certainly one of the most intriguing Blazer rosters we've seen in awhile now because of the unknown, which will definitely keep me invested to start the year, but I'm holding off on "hoping" for any moves from Dundon until I get actual eyes on what this team is. I just want more proven evidence of what this iteration of the team is, how it works, whats good / whats bad, than take a look at possible moves.

I mean, I'm almost as concerned with the "new owner syndrome" as I am anything else. I would be concerned if he wants to go out and make an immediate splash trade instead of taking a patient approach to the roster. The track record from nearly every new owner on this is truly awful.

[zzaj]

I was a bit concerned tbh what the turnout might be for this. Concerned maybe being too strong of a word, but you get my drift.

This whole offseason and into this season just seems like it's going to be... weird. So you have kind of a weird limbo season for the Blazers with the sale, the Dame signing buzz is almost 3mo past its due date, NFL season in full swing and NBA news pretty much non-existent (outside of the Clippers drama), plus Dame not playing this season ... the whole thing felt a little awkwardly timed. Then seeing the crowed when the event started and was like 15-20min it, PCS looked pretty sparse.

But by the time Dame actually got on stage, seeing how packed it was was awesome. Really happy to see how much the fans turned out to welcome him back, still such a great story imo.

It'll be interesting to see how Dame's relationship with the franchises evolves with the new ownership group. There's a non-zero chance the new ownership group won't be very sentimental about Dame. I think they'll stick with him into next season to see what he's like post-injury. If he's a 20+ppg scorer like he was pre-injury and on a MLE contract, that's a deal any owner would be stupid to get rid of. But if Dame's struggling... I question if Dundon is going to be local to Dame the way the Allen ownership group was. I'm hoping it doesn't turn into a Clyde Drexler 2.0 situation...

calling it a "weird" off-season may actually be a bit of an understatement

it wasn't weird in a bad way, at least not mostly. I mean, personally, the two players I was sick of seeing in Blazer uniforms were Simons and Ayton. And I was concerned that they were going to be re-signed. Instead they were moved, and their absence will be much appreciated by me and I'd say a majority of Blazer fans.

and of course, the announcement of the pending sale. And as usual, we have Adam Silver's comments about a new arena and "preference" spicing up the sale news

* making it weirder is that the Blazers now have a pair of 35 year old PG's standing in front of, or maybe alongside, a 3rd pick PG who has been pretty disappointing gauged against his massive pre-draft hype. And one of those aging PG's won't even play this season

* and the Blazers using two straight drafts to add two redundant slow-footed 7+ foot C's incapable of switching to perimeter on D

* and the very real possibility that a 7th pick in his 4th season, and a 3rd pick in his 3rd season, will both be backups this year

and looking at this team and realizing that the ceiling for this season may very well be a play-in berth; and that the 'apparent' options moving forward don't really offer a path to anything higher than pretender, and that's in a best case scenario. Well, while I'll be interested and watching with more enthusiasm than I have for a few seasons, my hopes for the future are more tied to what Dundon might do than to the ceiling of the current roster

I too find it incredibly odd and possibly the biggest indicator of 'fence-straddling', that the two players that arguably have the highest chance of helping the Blazers move out of non-playoff/play-in purgatory, likely won't start together either this year or next.