Nuggets Coach Pleads for Trail Blazers to Stay in Portland

David Adelman shares emotional childhood memories, calls Portland a 'basketball city' that 'deserves two teams'

Feb. 21, 2026 at 6:37am

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Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman gave an impassioned plea for the Portland Trail Blazers to remain in the city, sharing emotional childhood memories of growing up there as the son of former Blazers coach Rick Adelman. Adelman expressed concern over rumors that the franchise may be sold and potentially relocated, saying 'They gotta keep the team here. They gotta find a way to do that. This is a basketball city. The Northwest deserves two teams. That would be crushing for this community.'

Why it matters

The Trail Blazers have been a fixture in Portland for over 55 years, but the team's future in the city has been called into question with the expected sale of the franchise to Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon. As the region's only major men's professional sports team, the Blazers' departure would be a major loss for the community.

The details

Adelman, who spent much of his childhood in Portland, gave an impassioned response when asked about his favorite childhood memories in the city, turning it into a plea for the Blazers to remain. The team's long-term lease on the Moda Center expires in 2030, and the arena's infrastructure limitations have added uncertainty about the franchise's future in Portland, especially under new ownership.

  • The expected approval of Tom Dundon's $4 billion purchase of the Trail Blazers is expected around March 2026.
  • The Trail Blazers' current lease on the Moda Center expires in 2030.

The players

David Adelman

The head coach of the Denver Nuggets, who spent much of his childhood in Portland as the son of former Trail Blazers head coach Rick Adelman.

Tom Dundon

The owner of the Carolina Hurricanes, who is expected to purchase the Portland Trail Blazers for over $4 billion.

Adam Silver

The NBA Commissioner, who has indicated that relocation of the Trail Blazers is 'not on the table now', though the phrasing leaves the future uncertain.

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What they’re saying

“They gotta keep the team here. They gotta find a way to do that. This is a basketball city. The Northwest deserves two teams. That would be crushing for this community…”

— David Adelman, Head Coach, Denver Nuggets

What’s next

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is expected to provide more clarity on the Trail Blazers' future in Portland in the coming months.

The takeaway

The potential sale and relocation of the Trail Blazers, the only major men's professional sports franchise in the Portland region, has sparked an emotional response from figures like Nuggets coach David Adelman, who grew up in the city. The team's long history and importance to the community have many hoping the Blazers can find a way to remain in Portland.