Micah Nori Hire is Another Cost-Cutting Move for Trail Blazers

New Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon has already developed the reputation as "El Cheapo" in less than three months with the team. Dundon has cut costs by not bringing two-way players and essential sports media personnel to San Antonio for their road playoff games and made staffers leave their hotel rooms early to avoid late-checkout fees. For home games, Dundon cancelled a free T-shirt giveaway during Portland's first home playoff game in five years. The penny-pinching antics haven't stopped there.

Dundon has received criticism around league circles for low-balling coaching candidates in his negotiations. Former Blazers interim Tiago Splitter is now the head coach of the Chicago Bulls because Dundon did not give him a competitive offer. According to NBA reporter Jake Fischer (subscription required), Dundon wanted to pay the next Blazers head coach "no more than $1.5 million per year." According to Dwight Jaynes, Splitter's new contract with Chicago is worth just under $7 million per year. Details about new Blazers head coach Micah Nori's compensation have not been released, but Dundon is receiving more criticism for giving Nori a one-year contract with two team options.

It's hard to fault Nori for taking such an unconventional deal, considering that it was his first head coaching job after becoming an assistant coach in 2009. His former boss, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch, told reporters, “I thought it was a shame that a lot of the story about Micah’s great opportunity was overshadowed by the nature of the deal that he signed. That’s a personal decision. That’s a business decision. That’s between him, the team, and the agent.”

What can Blazers fans expect from Nori knowing that this is a prove-it deal, and the team must find success in year one?

“He is elite in what I call the small pieces of the game,” Finch said. “Small not that they are unimportant, but small in that they are often overlooked. He’s elite with lineup combinations. Elite with rotations. Elite with special situations, whether it’s ATOs (after timeouts), end of game, or just understanding how to maximize possessions. He’s just been huge for us here in that regard.”

Although Nori is highly regarded in league circles, will his short-term contract be a deterrent for potential free agents considering the organization's lack of commitment? Nori seems to have all the leadership and game management skills, but will the organization give him the roster necessary to succeed?