Neil Olshey, Portland Trail Blazers. (Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports)
The Portland Trail Blazers have parted ways with long-time general manager Neil Olshey.
After a decade on the job, the Portland Trail Blazers will have to look for a new general manager, as the organization has fired Neil Olshey for violating the team’s code of conduct.
The Trail Blazers organization released a statement on Friday on their decision to move on from Olshey. The decision to remove him from his post is effective immediately. Serving as the Trail Blazers’ general manger in the interim will be director of player personnel Joe Cronin. Portland’s leadership will conduct a thorough search to find a permanent replacement for Olshey in 2022.
From rumors of creating a toxic workplace environment, to hiring a controversial head coach in Chauncey Billups, to a deteriorating relationship with superstar point guard Damian Lillard, it was only a matter of time before Olshey got the ax in the Rose City.
Trail Blazers fire general manager Neil Olshey for violating team code of conduct
Throughout his tenure leading the Portland front office, the Trail Blazers were a regular staple in the Western Conference Playoffs. While they were a solid team under former head coach Terry Stotts, Portland routinely bowed out in the first round under the previous administration. With ownership in a state of flux, it is no wonder that this type of mediocrity was allowed to continue.
As long as the Trail Blazers have Lillard on their roster, they have a chance to be a playoff team out west. However, the new general manager coming in will have to assess the damage done by Olshey internally, as well as if he can coalesce with Billups as the head coach. Portland had to make a change, but this major organizational shake-up should have happened over the summer.
While it may take a while to fix the mess Olshey created, there is hope for a brighter tomorrow.