Story perspectives

Blazers hire Micah Nori as coach, low-pay deal amid criticism

6/26/2026

Summary

Nori Hired Coach

The Portland Trail Blazers hired Micah Nori as head coach on Thursday.
Micah Nori signed a one-year guaranteed deal with team-option years at a below-market salary, which General Manager Joe Cronin said reflected a mutual chance.
NBA Coaches Association president J.B. Bickerstaff called the contract a slap in the face to our value.
Micah Nori vowed to increase accountability, cut turnovers and play for 48-plus minutes, expecting Damian Lillard’s return.

Summary

Dundon Cuts Costs

Tom Dundon has imposed cost-cutting measures that limit postseason travel, cut two-way player trips, slash staff salaries and fire broadcasters.
He offered interim coach Tiago Splitter a $1 million-$1.5 million contract—well below market—before Splitter left for the Chicago Bulls.
Coaches warn that such short, incentive-laden deals could erode coaching security, undermine player accountability and make Portland’s non-major market seem “cheap.”

Summary

Nori Promoted

Fans cheered assistant Micah Nori’s promotion after serving in that role since 2009, including five seasons with Minnesota.
Nori signed a one-year guaranteed contract with two team-option years, which he described as a personal gamble to prove himself and aim for a return in the 2027-28 season.
Supporters argued that the short-term deal and its options could undermine coaching stability and hurt player accountability and team performance.

History

Historical Context

The NBA’s first lockout began on July 1, 1995 and ended September 12, 1995, forcing owners to renegotiate a salary-cap-focused CBA without losing any games. That dispute introduced league-wide cost-cutting that later influenced smaller-market teams. Today, the Portland Trail Blazers signed Micah Nori to a below-market one-year deal, echoing the 1995 owners’ fiscal restraint.

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Nori Hired Coach

The Portland Trail Blazers hired Micah Nori as head coach on Thursday.
Micah Nori signed a one-year guaranteed deal with team-option years at a below-market salary, which General Manager Joe Cronin said reflected a mutual chance.
NBA Coaches Association president J.B. Bickerstaff called the contract a slap in the face to our value.
Micah Nori vowed to increase accountability, cut turnovers and play for 48-plus minutes, expecting Damian Lillard’s return.

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