Blazers GM Neil Olshey Not Interested In Buyout As Accusations Surface

Trail Blazers head of basketball operations Neil Olshey is not interested in a buyout or settlement amid an investigation into accusations that he created a hostile work environment, according to Jason Quick of The Athletic.

The Blazers have hired an investigation firm to look into the matter, and current and former staffers, as well as some current players, have been interviewed, reported Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.

Several of those who have worked under Olshey came out against him in a story by Aaron Fentress of the Oregonian.

“Neil didn’t discriminate, I’ll say that,” one source told Fentress. “He didn’t discriminate who he berated or belittled. Anybody and everybody.”

Former Blazers forward and radio analyst Antonio Harvey said he previously had heard rumblings about Olshey.

“I know it happened because I heard people talking about it,” Harvey said, via Fentress. “But I never saw it happen. I can’t say I saw him do this to this person. What I can tell you is, I heard a lot of rumblings about how he wanted to control and manipulate. If you didn’t do what he said, he would just completely fly off the handle.”

Per Quick, Olshey intends to fight to keep his job. He is scheduled to be interviewed by investigators within the next week.

Both Quick and Haynes reported that the investigation has been extended and expanded, with Quick noting that more than 60 people have been interviewed.

Olshey, 56, is in his 10th season overseeing basketball operations for the Trail Blazers. You can read more about the investigation right here on Hoops Wire.

As for the team itself, star guard Damian Lillard recently said the Blazers are trying to keep their focus on basketball.

“The games continue. Our jobs continue. And that’s all we can do,” Lillard said earlier in the week. “What we can control is doing our job and being prepared, and me being here for 10 years and being a big part of this organization and this team, it’s my job to continue to do that the way that I have. And that’s what I can control and that’s what I’ll do.”