Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN published an article today reporting that NBA Executives are continuing discussions to form a professional association which would mirror the National Basketball Coaches Association. Wojnarowski said that those discussions predate the investigation into Portland Trail Blazers President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey, but Wojnarowski also linked that investigation to the matter, saying that Portland’s inquiry has “further convinced” executives that an association would be prudent.
Dozens of executives told ESPN that Portland’s internal probe has stoked fears that organizations can make decisions to fire top basketball executives for any number of traditional reasons — team performance, personality conflicts, differing philosophies — and search simultaneously for ways to pursue “cause” violations in contracts.