Damian Lillard has been angling his way to the Miami Heat for almost two months now since making his trade request to the Portland Trail Blazers.
It’s literally Miami or nothing for Lillard. At least, that’s what’s been reported so far. Yet, still, the Trail Blazers have refused to move him until the team gets the exact offer that it’s looking for.
That’s not a bad decision for Portland. The team needs to ensure that it can get something good in return for its star to kickstart its rebuild. At the same time, though, things have turned pretty ugly.
It’s actually gotten to the point where Lillard is refusing to speak about the Trail Blazers in interviews now. He sat down with Andscape’s Marc Spears and was asked about Portland. But he had nothing to say.
Damian Lillard refuses to speak on the Trailblazers
(Via @andscape / h/t @5ReasonsSports @BradyHawk305 ) pic.twitter.com/yBVAPrKQwX
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 24, 2023
“I’m not going to speak on the Blazers. It’s a lot of love and respect, but I won’t speak on the Blazers.”
He did confirm that there was, indeed, a trade request made from his side to the Trail Blazers. But that’s all he had to say about the situation at hand.
That left so many people confused about what’s going on here. If Lillard wants to be moved, this is an opportunity for him to apply pressure, right? That would make sense.
But, remember, Lillard and his agent, Aaron Goodwin, are already under the NBA’s watchful eye because of everything that has transpired over the last couple of months. The NBA issued a warning to Lillard and Goodwin last month about trying to dictate his trade destination.
Full NBA memo sent to all 30 teams regarding rhetoric on trade request made by Damian Lillard and his agent Aaron Goodwin.
“Recent media reports stated that Damian Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, called multiple NBA teams to warn them against trading for Lillard because…— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 28, 2023
Lillard has to be careful with what he says. He could face a fine — or potentially worse — from the league if he’s not.
It’s a shame to see things going this way between Lillard and the Trail Blazers considering the history between the two sides. Lillard might be the organization’s best player ever and they stuck by each other through thick and thin for a decade. Yet, now, we’re still here.
Fans absolutely hated to see it. It’s hard to disagree with them.
I hate that it got here with Dame. He was never not proud to be the face of that franchise. https://t.co/GQfb9iavlK
— alexis (@alexisfromvegas) August 24, 2023
CRONIN MASTERCLASS
THIS IS HOW YOU RUN A FRANCHISE https://t.co/PPNU433Fue
— Tito Benach (@TitoBenach) August 24, 2023
Get this Man to Miami, he's been loyal to the Trailblazers forever. I ain't saying give him away for nothing but that's why these GMs get paid the big bucks to make complicated deals like this work. Big time players should start signing three year deals with a player option in… https://t.co/2HEXNHYQqd
— FantasyMagic (@jamesabaileyjr) August 24, 2023
Even though he’s leaving, I have immense respect for Dame and want him to get a ring within the next two years. https://t.co/pXIOPhP5nB
— Bazzi (@SaintBazzi) August 24, 2023
They gotta trade my guy fr https://t.co/0QWhKN15MJ
— Cal Cabantoy (@Cal_cab_503) August 24, 2023
Dame about to go James Harden nuclear https://t.co/ONY4pSQA4Q
— William Planas (@Will_Planas) August 24, 2023
Send this man to Miami expeditiously https://t.co/MhVhZAS4QL
— Wesley Forbes (@PrettyBoy4bes) August 24, 2023
hurts so much man https://t.co/cMtAHT6Jge
— 🌪️🌪️ (@StrictlyHoops7) August 24, 2023
