As Portland and Trail Blazers officials negotiate a new arena deal, most Oregon voters say whether the NBA team stays in the city is not a major priority for them, a statewide poll found. Sixty-four percent of respondents said it was not important to them whether political leaders reach an agreement to keep the team in Portland, while 32% said it was important. The poll of 600 registered voters was conducted by DHM Research by phone and text from Sept. 24 to Oct. 1. Its margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points. The negotiations involve a proposed public commitment of roughly $600 million toward renovations at the publicly owned Moda Center. Oregon lawmakers approved a plan earlier this year for the state to contribute $365 million, conditional on Portland and Multnomah County providing the remaining funds and the city securing a new 20-year lease with the team by the end of December. Portland voters were more inclined than voters elsewhere in Oregon to prioritize keeping the franchise, though a majority in the city still said a deal was not important to them. Forty-three percent of Portland respondents called an agreement very or somewhat important, compared with 55% who said it was not too important or not important at all. Views also differed by political affiliation. Sixty percent of Democrats and 59% of voters who identified as unaffiliated or with a minor party said the team’s future was not important to them. Among Republicans, 76% said it was not important. “We have a lot of other issues we need to talk about,” said Beaverton resident Shannon Walton-Clark, who said the economy and affordability were higher priorities for their family. Walton-Clark said they were not opposed to a deal in principle. DHM Research President Michelle Neiss said the poll showed a divide between officials’ sense of urgency and voters’ priorities. Some supporters say the team’s departure would be a major loss for the region. Lake Oswego resident Patrick Gutierrez said he feared Portland would not attract another major professional sports team if the Blazers left, and described the franchise as a source of joy for the community. The negotiations come amid concern among supporters that the team’s new owner, Tom Dundon, could consider relocating if an arena deal is not reached. But the proposed public investment remains contingent on local contributions and a lease agreement, leaving the financial and long-term commitments unresolved.