Dundon: ‘Priority’ is keeping Trail Blazers in Portland

New Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon says his focus is keeping the team in Portland as negotiations with local officials over a new Moda Center lease approach a December 31 deadline.

“We are working to keep the team in Portland,” Dundon told Mike Vorkunov via text message. “That is the priority.”

The threat of relocation has loomed over the lease discussions. Vorkunov reports that Dundon privately broached the subject in talks with league officials and other owners, though he made no formal requests about relocating the team. The league pushed back on the suggestion, according to Vorkunov, telling Dundon to focus on making the Blazers work in Portland.

Dundon denied those conversations occurred. “That is not accurate,” he said, adding that it is “not a conversation” because the Blazers’ current lease runs through 2030.

The negotiations between the Blazers and local officials have appeared rocky at times, particularly over the summer, but the team has struck a more accommodating tone in recent weeks, with president of business operations Dewayne Hankins saying at media day that the club is “committed” to staying in Portland. NBA commissioner Adam Silver has publicly pressured both sides to reach an agreement.