Dundon hailed the progress of core Blazers—Deni Avdija, Donovan Clingan and Toumani Camara—last season and voiced excitement about landing Ja Morant and Damian Lillard. He says the 2026/27 squad should “compete every night” and take “another step forward.” Can the team truly elevate its game?
“I’m still getting to know Portland and its fans,” Dundon said. “One thing’s clear: you show up, you care, and you won’t settle for mediocrity. I respect that. I saw the same fire in Raleigh when my Hurricanes lifted the Stanley Cup.”
“I don’t make promises I can’t keep. My record speaks, and my goal here is simple: bring a championship to Portland.”
Quick notes that Dundon praised the Moda Center upgrades, aiming to make it one of the NBA’s top venues, yet he stopped short of promising the Blazers will stay long‑term. The city and team are still squabbling over rent, ticket and property taxes, and union labor as they chase a funding pact before the December deadline. For my money, the arena overhaul is the only path to keep the franchise viable.
Here’s more Northwest coverage:
- The Thunder missed contributions from their first‑year rookies—Nikola Topic and Thomas Sorber—who both rehabbed ACL tears. However, 2026 first‑round picks Aday Mara and Bennett Stirtz impressed in the preseason opener, writes Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman. Mara logged 12 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three blocks in 18 minutes, while Stirtz displayed playmaking and shooting for 15 points and six assists in 30 minutes.
- Defensive lapses and foul trouble have limited Julian Strawther over his first three seasons, but this year could be his best shot at a regular Nuggets rotation spot, notes Vinny Benedetto for The Denver Gazette. Yet, with DeMar DeRozan, Spencer Jones, Tyus Jones and Marvin Bagley III all slated for second‑unit minutes, the final roster slot may boil down to Strawther versus Alpha Diallo.