Portland, OR (Sports Network) - The Portland Trail Blazers have hired Neil
Olshey as their new general manager.
On Monday, the Los Angeles Clippers and Olshey mutually agreed to end
discussions concerning Olshey's future with the team.
The two sides had agreed in principle to a new contract last Friday, but
Olshey decided to leave for Portland.
"Circumstances have obviously undergone some movement since our announcement
Friday. In light of that, we want to wish Neil well and acknowledge his
contributions during the time he spent with the Clippers," said Clippers
president Andy Roeser.
Olshey was named the 10th general manager in Trail Blazers history shortly
after the Clippers parted ways with him.
This past season was Olshey's second as the Clippers' vice president of
basketball operations and his ninth overall season with the organization.
Olshey joined the Clippers as director of player development prior to the
start of the 2003-04 season before serving as an assistant coach in 2004-05.
After that season, Olshey became the director of player personnel from
2005-08. He was promoted to assistant general manager prior to the 2008-09
season, holding that position for two seasons until being named vice president
of basketball operations before the 2010-11 campaign.
"Neil is someone we've had on our radar for quite a while," Portland president
Larry Miller said. "Over the past two seasons he has demonstrated success in
constructing a roster, managing salary cap and evaluating player talent. We
feel very fortunate to have him in Portland and are thrilled about what this
means for the future."
The Sports Network