Trail Blazers general manager Neil Olshey is scheduled to be interviewed next week by investigators from law firm O’Melveny and Myers, according to Jason Quick of The Athletic (Twitter link). Quick notes that the firm has already interviewed over 60 people as part of its investigation into Olshey and Portland’s front office.
As we previously relayed, the investigation will take longer than expected. A deadline of November 5 was originally set, but that date has since been pushed back.
Olshey is under investigation after numerous employees complained about a hostile work environment. The longtime executive is fighting for his job and has no interest in making a deal or buyout settlement, Quick notes in a separate tweet.
There’s more out of Portland tonight:
- Speaking of Olshey, Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian reports that several employees have experienced or seen him ‘”berate, belittle and intimidate” staffers. “You tried to not be around him,” said one of Fentress’ sources, explaining how employees actively tried to avoid Olshey at the team’s practice facility.
- In an article for The Athletic, Jason Quick examines the factors that led to Chris McGowan resigning as president and CEO. McGowan, who recently stepped down Portland after spending nearly a decade in the position, said there were “a lot of things” that factored into his decision. One, according to Quick, was that he wanted to become the “voice of the franchise” – overseeing the team’s messaging, not its basketball decisions – but was rebuffed by team owner Jody Allen.
- Head coach Chauncey Billups recently described the team as “under construction,” Quick writes in a separate article for The Athletic. Aside from some off-court issues, Portland’s on-court product doesn’t look much better. The team is 6-7 through 13 games, though it’s worth noting that Damian Lillard is averaging just 20 points per game (38% shooting from the field and 27% from downtown).