Rip City moves toward a new era as the franchise nears a decision between two finalists to fill the void left by a legendary broadcaster.
The Trail Blazers made Kevin Calabro an offer he called “subprime.” He left. Minnesota hired him.
Four days later, Portland reportedly narrowed the search for his replacement to two names.
Now the business decision becomes something fans can actually hear.
Veteran Portland reporter Kerry Eggers reported Tuesday that Blazers President of Business Operations Dewayne Hankins said the organization is “very close” to hiring its next television play-by-play announcer.
Eggers identified Braiden Bell and Kyle Draper as the two candidates under consideration, with Bell believed to be the favorite.
The names matter, but the circumstances around the opening matter more.
Calabro’s contract expired June 30, and there had been mutual interest in finding a way to continue the relationship, potentially with him working a reduced schedule.
Portland eventually made an offer he described as “subprime,” taking issue with the number of games, compensation per game and lack of benefits.
Calabro walked away.
Bell would represent a sharp change in profile. He has served as the play-by-play voice for the G League’s Valley Suns and called select Phoenix Mercury games, giving him professional basketball experience without anything close to Calabro’s NBA résumé.
Draper comes with far more mileage. He spent six seasons with the Sacramento Kings as a studio host and substitute television play-by-play announcer before announcing in April that his contract would not be renewed.
Before Sacramento, Draper spent more than a decade with NBC Sports Boston and occasionally filled in on Celtics broadcasts.
Neither candidate should be dismissed because his résumé does not look like Calabro’s.
That would miss the point anyway.
Bell could become a voice Rip City grows with. Draper could walk in with enough NBA experience to make the transition feel natural.
Local broadcasts are built on chemistry, personality and familiarity — things that do not always show up cleanly on a résumé.
Portland, though, made the comparison unavoidable.
Calabro joined the Blazers in 2016 and spent most of the next decade becoming part of the sound of the franchise. This was not a broadcaster retiring or leaving local television behind. Portland and Calabro had interest in continuing together ... then the offer came, he rejected it and another NBA team hired him.
Minnesota gets Calabro for part of its schedule. Portland gets a new voice.
Maybe Bell or Draper steps in and the entire conversation feels pointless by December. That would be the best outcome for everyone involved — especially the person inheriting a booth tangled up in a contract negotiation he had nothing to do with.
The next announcer should not have to answer for Portland’s decision. The Blazers will.
They drew the line with Calabro. He walked across it, and Minnesota handed him another headset. Now someone else gets his chair.
If Rip City spends this season wishing the old voice were still there, Portland will have spent months searching for an answer to a problem it created.
