Current Trail Blazers general manager Neil Olshey is reportedly under an internal investigation for workplace misconduct. Despite still holding his position, rumors are swirling about who his replacement could be.
According to Howard Beck on the Crossover Podcast, Olshey may be fired as a result of the investigation, and his replacement could be former Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge.
“If Neil Olshey winds up getting forced out, do not be surprised to hear Danny Ainge’s name connected to that job,” Beck said. “I don’t know if Danny would take it, but I would expect him to be in the mix for a vacancy in Portland.”
Adds Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix (per NBC Sports): “If Portland does move on from Olshey, there is an expectation that former Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge could be a target to run the team’s basketball operations. Ainge retired from Boston’s front office at the end of the 2021 season and has remained a consultant to Brad Stevens and the Celtics…
Ainge is from Oregon, having grown up in Eugene. Ainge was a three-sport star at North Eugene High School. Ainge garnered first-team All-American honors in football, basketball and baseball.”
Ainge stepped away from the Celtics following the end of last season but led the team to a lot of success during his 18 years at the helm, including winning an NBA Championship in 2008.
The Portland Trail Blazers have struggled to make an impact in the postseason despite having one of the League’s most dynamic guards, Damian Lillard. Under new head coach Chauncey Billups, the Blazers are 5-7 to start the season.
