The Portland Trail Blazers opted not to take their three two-way players—Caleb Love, Chris Youngblood and Jayson Kent—on the road for the first two contests of their opening-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, multiple league sources told Rose Garden Report.
NBA rules bar two-way players from appearing in postseason games, yet teams customarily include them on playoff trips. According to the report, all seven visiting clubs in first-round action last weekend traveled with their two-way personnel, even though the players remained in street clothes. Portland’s decision was described as a clear departure from league norms.
The move is viewed as especially dismissive toward rookie guard Love, who posted several high-scoring outings in December and January while the Blazers’ backcourt was depleted by injuries. Love and forward Sidy Cissoko—converted to a standard deal in February after hitting his 50-game limit—were credited with helping Portland stay afloat during that stretch and ultimately reach the postseason.
The episode adds to growing questions about owner Tom Dundon’s willingness to spend. Jake Fischer of The Stein Line recently reported that Dundon hopes to cap the salary of Portland’s next head coach at roughly $1.5 million, a figure more in line with top assistant pay. Interim coach Tiago Splitter, who replaced Chauncey Billups following Billups’ gambling arrest and guided the team to its first playoff berth since 2021, has no guarantee of returning.
Fischer also noted that the organization has contacted about 20 college and international coaches to gauge interest in the position at a reduced rate. In a separate cost-cutting measure, Dundon reportedly ordered support staff to check out of a Phoenix hotel at noon last Tuesday to avoid an additional day’s charge, leaving employees in the lobby for several hours before the first team bus departed for the arena.
Source: Hoops Rumors
