Trail Blazers Face Relocation Questions as Dundon Pursues $300 Million Raleigh Arena Remodel
Updated
Updated · Blazer's Edge · Jul 20
Trail Blazers Face Relocation Questions as Dundon Pursues $300 Million Raleigh Arena Remodel
3 articles · Updated · Blazer's Edge · Jul 20
Summary
NBA executives are openly questioning where Portland could move after owner Tom Dundon’s aggressive cost-cutting and the team’s muted Summer League presence sharpened concerns about the franchise’s future.
The speculation is being driven less by on-court issues than by off-court uncertainty around arena talks and Dundon’s intentions, with league observers treating relocation chatter as the latest turn in a longer-running saga.
Raleigh has emerged as one discussed option because Dundon also owns the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes and can access Lenovo Center, though the arena is widely seen as subpar for the NBA even with a $300 million renovation underway.
Seattle and Las Vegas appear unlikely because the NBA would not want to undercut expansion fees, while Austin and Nashville could be constrained by the Spurs and Grizzlies, leaving few destinations that look clearly better than Portland.