The Trail Blazers have fired general manager and president of basketball operations Neil Olshey, the team announced (via Twitter).
Olshey has been under a month-long investigation relating to his actions in the workplace, prompted by accusations of misconduct from at least one team employee. Workers have allegedly been subjected to “intimidation and profanity-laced tirades, among other bullying tactics” from Olshey.
The team addressed the investigation in a release announcing the move, stating that Olshey was terminated “due to violations of the Portland Trail Blazers’ Code of Conduct.”
“Out of respect for those who candidly participated in that privileged investigation, we will not release or discuss it,” the release states. “We are confident that these changes will help build a more positive and respectful working environment.”
Director of player personnel Joe Cronin will take over as interim general manager while the team searches for a permanent replacement, the release adds.
Two candidates who will likely receive consideration for the permanent job are Grizzlies VP of basketball affairs Tayshaun Prince and Spurs VP of basketball operations Brent Barry, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report (Twitter link). Former Celtics executive Danny Ainge may also be in the mix, tweets Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated.
A source tells Jason Quick of The Athletic that Olshey learned of his firing this morning (Twitter link). Olshey got no indication of the move during discussions Thursday night with vice chair Bert Kolde or team owner Jody Allen, Quick adds.
Olshey, 56, had served as Portland’s general manager since 2012, but there have been rumors for some time that his job was in jeopardy. In addition to the workplace investigation, Olshey has been under fire for the team’s string of first-round playoff exits and received criticism for not being more responsive about the hiring of Chauncey Billups as head coach in light of sexual assault allegations against Billups from 1997.
Several pressing issues will face Olshey’s replacement, notes Bobby Marks of ESPN (Twitter link). Damian Lillard has repeatedly expressed a desire to play for a contender, and the Blazers are currently in ninth place in the West at 11-12. The organization will also have to decide whether to hold on to Robert Covington and Jusuf Nurkic, who both have expiring contracts.
about time he was fired. he should have been fired after the summer of 2016 and after not doing anything to appease Dame this year
Yeah that was just a matter of time before it happened but did take surprisingly long
Feels like he should’ve been fired for incompetence awhile back, and now it feels like the blazers tried to make up a reason to fire him, curse laced tirades? That’s rare for pro sports, no it is not…fired because he’s a bad gm makes a lot more sense than fired for acting like every high school football coach in America
FiYa!
Should have been fired for being bad at his job. Now I wonder if he lawyers up.
I don’t think it matters. He probably already has a lawyer, but, if Oregon is an “at will” employment state, the Blazers don’t need a reason. “At will” is not a cover for a discrimination-based firing, but we know that is not the case here. This just made the Blazers decision easier.
Sure, but when have things like laws or facts prevented a nice, frivolous lawsuit?
Oh god shut up he got fired because he’s bad, the other stuff is just icing, no need to get into all that bs
Slimmy, is it nap time? You grouchy.
Did you see the comment I was replying to my brother?
No. He’s a contract employee, so the contract governs. POR will argue he was fired for cause per the contract; he’ll argue otherwise. The only issue is whether he gets paid. It will be settled, and nobody outside of the parties should care.
At will doesnt matter for an employment contract. His still has multiple years so unless he did something to violate the terms and be fired for cause so they dont have to pay the remainder. Contract is a contract state employment laws dont apply to this firing.
Unless a trade is made they will not be better than the Suns, Warriors or Jazz. They need to pull the trigger on a Simmons trade for CJ and more for him.
Not sure Simmons makes Portland any better than they are with CJ. Doesn’t move the needle. They need help in the front court, not another guard who plays mediocre defense.
Simmons is not that. People are getting into the stage of making things up on Simmons.
New management probably does mean Lillard is leaving for one reason or another, by next year. Lillard, 31, is due $49m in 24/25. Blazers would be lucky to get Simmons, 25, and probably a little more.
Lillard would be a good fit for the Nix. Not sure how they would make the salaries balance, or make it worthwhile for PDX.
@jakethesnizake… Simmons is the best defensive guard of the league, so if he is mediocre all the other guards in the league are just plain awful, right?
Finally! Time to get serious about making Dame’s shot at a championship happen
He will end up getting all his money cause seriously doubt they will prove anything.. I would say this is a perception firing .. if I’m wrong great but they aren’t giving up facts which means they are expecting a legal battle
Knicks offer Scott Perry and a future #1 pick to Portland. No need for anything in return.
You’d make a terrible owner
Two good GM replacements in Barry and Ainge. Think Prince, like Billups would be a mistake.
Chauncey is as good as gone. Woke needs to be fed monthly.
Hope so because he would be an excellent replacement for Casey in Detroit!
Lmfao. Olshey is gone because he’s not good. Throw the other stuff on top whatever idc. Chauncey is doing the best he can with what he’s got.
Ainge needs to be the hire here.
Just go full rebuild.
Get Brent Barry, sack Billups and get Kenny Atkinson.
Trade away Dame to the Sixers.
Sixers: Dame and RoCo
Portland: Simmons, Maxey, Thybulle, 2 first round picks and 2 second rounders.
Add McCollum and Nurkic to the trade block and listen to offers.
If you could get Myles Turner that’d be great.
However a more realistic move might be Bertans and Bryant for Nurkic and Nance.
Leaving the Blazers with a team looking like Maxey McCollum Simmons Bertans and Bryant with Simons Snell Thybulle Powell Little Brown and Zeller as the main rotational guys. Loads of shooting around Ben.
Portland gets a quick rebuild and are a likely entertaining playoff team. Ben is an all star, McCollum is close. Powell is a 6th man of the year candidate. Plus with the picks they turn things around.
Sixers give up a lot but get their guy. They are a finals favourite with a team of Dame Curry RoCo Harris and Embiid with Milton Green Korkmaz Niang Drummond on the bench.
Wizards get rid of Bertans who is seriously under performing on an expensive deal. Nurkic is a huge addition at centre and with Dinwiddie, Beal and Kuzma makes a really solid playoff team.
No one want Simmons
Slimmycito> lol…many teams want him.and i want him too for my bulls if only sixers lower his value.
El don> simmons is great player for me, but his issue made his value drop. But agree with u.that is an awful trade for sixers. Sixers should keep thybulle.
That is an awful trade for PHI!
Ben is a superstar, Maxey is playing well this year, Thybulle is a good defender + 4 picks… I mean that is crazy to give up for a RoCo who isn’t the player who was, but specially for a washed out Dame, at least he is playing like a washed out star, might pick it up, but at his age & his playing style, he ain’t what he use to be anymore!
I think in this trade PHI needs to give less players & POR needs to give the picks instead of PHI!
That trade would absolutely kill PHI defense & unless Dame makes a miracle recovery that PHI team would be a R1EC exit for sure!
Do the Sixers get a reach around with that trade too?
If only it were as easy as just typing up a few trades on a message board
If simmons gets traded, does that fix his mental issue?
Yes because he is like these kids now a days. No hard work and no accountability. Lazy and pay me . I’m so important. Over compisation of self worth. Nerds taking over the world . What a weak world
It’s really interesting to me when people criticize the new generation because the world is light years more efficient and productive than it was 30 years. And I say this as a non-millenial.
You do realize Scottie Pippen pulled himself from a game because the play wasn’t drawn up for him? Sounds like a few of the adjectives you used to describe Simmons.
Boylen looked in the mirror and straightened his tie, exhaling a deep breath. “No reason it can’t be me” he thought, admiring how tough he looked at himself.
His resume was already bulk-mailed to all 29 potential NBA employers, but he figured a quick email to that guy he knows who works for security in Portland couldn’t hurt.
FIBA-Schmeeba, he thought, it’s time the NBA called me home…
Nah…gar forman did it…
Yes because he is like these kids now a days. No hard work and no accountability. Lazy and pay me . I’m so important. Over compisation of self worth. Nerds taking over the world . What a weak world