Split dismissed? Blazers owner willing to pay head coach only $1 million salary: one-fourth of market value

On April 15 Beijing time, according to Blazers reporter Bill Oram, the group owned by Blazers owner Dundon purchased the team for $4.25 billion, but intends to offer the head coach a contract around $1 million per year—approximately only one-fourth of the market rate.

Rumors suggest Dundon is targeting college coaches and former NBA players, such as Nuggets' Jared Dudley and Rockets' Royal Ivey, as such individuals are more likely to accept lower salaries.

Oram notes that given the abundant pool of quality coaching talent available, this approach might be understandable. Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer have won championships; Michael Malone was a viable candidate before being intercepted by North Carolina University. Taylor Jenkins, Tom Thibodeau, and Darwin Ham have all led teams to conference finals. Doug Rivers… is at least a renowned coach. Additionally, there are elite assistant coaches: Spurs' Sean Sweeney, Heat's Chris Quinn, Timberwolves' Micah Nori, Celtics' Sam Cassell. All are expected to compete for top head coaching positions this summer.

Although these coaches have varying strengths, and some fit the Blazers better than others, there is little indication Dundon is prepared to make a bold, aggressive move in this area.

Even if Dundon wants to cut costs—and some subtle, unnoticed austerity measures within the team have already begun—the head coach position is absolutely the place where one should not skimp. Reports indicate that Dundon's Carolina Hurricanes have paid head coach Rod Brind'Amour one of the lowest salaries in the NHL over the past eight years, even as the team performed well, reaching the conference finals twice in the last three years.

However, Oram questions whether this model truly works in the NBA. In this league, aside from superstar players, coaches are the most valuable group within the ecosystem. An excellent head coach has immense influence, shaping a team's character, style, and culture. Regardless of one's assessment of Chauncey Billups' tactical skills (and his card-playing ability), it is undeniable that he is an outstanding culture builder within the Blazers' training facility and the Moda Center.