Despite having a net worth of $2.3 billion and being the majority owner of an NBA team valued at $4.25 billion, this person is finding it difficult to shed the ‘cheap’ tag. That’s the current scenario of Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon. Fans on social media and former players of the franchise, like Carmelo Anthony, haven’t hesitated in openly criticizing his cost-cutting methods. And it appears to have worked before the road game against the San Antonio Spurs!

The Blazers made the playoffs for the first time in four years. For once, the atmosphere around the team was positive. However, Dundon’s frugality then came to light, including no playoff t-shirts for home crowds. In fact, some staff members were also kicked out of their hotel rooms early to avoid late fees. Further reports damaging his reputation suggested that two-way players did not travel with the team for Game 1 and Game 2. But this last decision has now changed.

The Blazers confirmed via team photos of players boarding the plane that they are now sending Caleb Love, Chris Youngblood, and Jayson Kent to San Antonio for Game 5. They were the only playoff team that did not bring their two-way players to road games in the first round. This cost-cutting measure could have been derived from the fact that these players are ineligible to play in the postseason. But teams still prefer keeping the band together, regardless.

The current decision comes as a surprise because the Portland owner never cared about his reputation. According to The Athletic, Dundon “doesn’t give a f—” about the cheap label and is focused on structural reorganization and removing inefficiencies. His business philosophy is deeply rooted in high-risk financial services, specifically subprime auto lending, which is why the current process is a “scrappy” approach to team ownership.

Media veteran Bill Simmons called Dundon “El Cheapo.” Even Melo vented in frustration about the previous cost-cutting measures. “You don’t just you don’t come with the iron fist right away like that with the people who support you,” the NBA legend said. “You were supposed to come in and over and did it. ‘Yeah, my team made it to the postseason. New owner. I gotta go overboard.'” There was another major reason why Melo was frustrated.

Tom Dundon remains cheap on hiring for the most important position…

Currently, Tiago Splitter remains the interim coach as the Blazers navigate the postseason. The board discussed the position with ex-Nuggets head coach Mike Malone, who subsequently accepted the job at the University of North Carolina (UNC). Tom Dundon reportedly offered only around $4 million per year for the position. This was nearly half of the $8.33 million per year Malone ultimately accepted to become the head coach at the Tar Heels!

Hearing this, Carmelo Anthony was frustrated again. “You price yourself out,” Melo ranted. “Now Mike had to go to North Carolina. So you let a college give you Mike Malone more money. A championship coach. One day, maybe Hall of Fame coach, you let a university price you out of getting that.” In case you were wondering, Splitter reportedly isn’t even being offered that same salary. According to The Oregonian, Dundon is lowballing the HC salary at $1 million.

The lowest-paid coach in the league right now is Sacramento Kings’ Doug Christie, who reportedly earns $2 million. Dundon currently owns 80.1% of the team. The remaining is set to be purchased by September 1, 2028. Succeeding in the NBA does require enormous spending power. But it also requires stakeholders’ feelings to be appreciated, from fans and players to the head coach and other staff. It will be interesting to see if, in the off-season, any more of his cheap measures take a U-turn for good.