Former NBA guard Gilbert Arenas criticized newly installed Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon for alleged cost-saving decisions during the team’s current playoff run. Speaking on his podcast on April 24, 2026, Arenas warned that the reported belt-tightening could damage the franchise’s reputation among players and agents.
Hotel rooms and staff cuts draw fire
Multiple reports indicate Dundon instructed non-player and non-coach personnel to check out of the team hotel early to avoid late fees, a move that reportedly forced the club’s masseuse to leave before games. “You’re talking about not giving a masseuse a room? That’s not improving your team,” Arenas said. “You’ll pay for everything else, but you can’t cover an extra $250 to $500 for her to have a room for the night?”
Low coaching salary raises eyebrows
The reports also claim Dundon is evaluating potential coaching candidates during the postseason and is willing to offer about $1 million annually—far below prevailing NBA rates. Arenas argued that such savings come at the wrong places. “Agents are going to refuse to let their players get drafted there,” he warned.
Two-way players left at home
The Blazers allegedly declined to bring their two-way players on the road for playoff games in San Antonio, a departure from league-wide practice. Every other postseason club reportedly included those contract players in its travel party.
Arenas targets oversized coaching staffs
While blasting certain cuts, Arenas suggested Portland could trim elsewhere. “How many individual coaches do you need on the roster?” he asked, noting that some teams have more assistants than active players on the bench. He mocked the abundance of staff armed with tablets: “Everybody got an iPad. It looks like my house when I was raising my kids.”
Cost-cutting history follows Dundon
Dundon, who also owns the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, has earned praise in hockey circles despite similar frugality. Observers describe his philosophy as spend on players, trim everywhere else. Whether that approach succeeds in the NBA remains to be seen, Arenas said, but he maintains slashing essential support services could backfire.
The Trail Blazers have not publicly addressed the specific claims.
Source: Hoops Wire
