Report: NBA advises teams, Damian Lillard on guard’s Miami only trade request
Jul 29, 2023, 7:00 AM | Updated: 8:00 am
MIAMI, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 07: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives past Caleb Martin #16 of the Miami Heat during the second quarter at FTX Arena on November 07, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The NBA sent a league-wide memo and interviewed Damian Lillard and his agent about the former Weber State star’s trade request, according to NBA insider Shams Charania.
NBA advises teams & Damian Lillard on trade request
The Athletic and Stadium reporter broke the news of the memo and the league’s conversation with Lillard on Friday, July 28.
Charania reported that the NBA sent a memo to its 32 teams letting them know that the league has interviewed the Portland Trail Blazers guard and his agent, Aaron Goodwin, about Lillard’s request that he only be traded to the Miami Heat.
“The league advised both Goodwin and Lillard that any future comments of this sort, as far as him only wanting to play in Miami will potentially subject him to discipline, I’m told if those comments continue,” Charania said on The Rally show.
The NBA insider added that the National Basketball Players Association was sent a “warning” about other players making similar remarks in the future and potential penalties for those comments.
“As well as a warning to the NBPA that any future comments by players, their agents that are similar to the ones as far as ‘I only want to play for this specific team’ in a trade request, if that’s made, that could also be subject to potential discipline as well.”
NBA sent a memo Friday to all 30 teams about Damian Lillard’s trade request and the stance that he only wants to play in Miami. Reporting details on @TheRally: pic.twitter.com/xkgMfcTeqI
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 28, 2023
According to Charania, Lillard’s agent “denied” telling teams that the former Weber State standout would only play in Miami. The insider said that the league spoke with multiple teams and that Goodwin’s comments were “consistent for the most part.”
Damian Lillard requests trade from Blazers
On July 1, Lillard reportedly told the Blazers that he wanted to be moved and requested that he be traded to the Heat. A day before Lillard’s request, NBA free agency opened on June 30.
“Breaking: Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard has requested a trade out of Portland, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium,” Charania tweeted. “The Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets are among leading suitors for one of the NBA’s 75 Greatest Players ever.”
Breaking: Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard has requested a trade out of Portland, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets are among leading suitors for one of the NBA’s 75 Greatest Players ever. pic.twitter.com/nw8OIepAHz
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2023
Lillard prefers Heat in trade
“ESPN Sources with @RamonaShelburne : Portland G Damian Lillard has requested a trade and the franchise is expected to work to accommodate him,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported.
Charania added to his initial reporting that Lillard let the Blazers know he wants to be traded to the Heat, the reigning Eastern Conference champions.
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
Wojnarowski added the Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers into the mix as teams interested in acquiring Lillard this offseason.
“The Heat, Clippers and 76ers are three teams that will have interest in exploring trades for Lillard, sources tell ESPN,” the ESPN insider posted on Twitter. “The Blazers are expected to value deals that would bring them back young players and draft assets.”
The Heat, Clippers and 76ers are three teams that will have interest in exploring trades for Lillard, sources tell ESPN. The Blazers are expected to value deals that would bring them back young players and draft assets. https://t.co/5KM6EF4RRT
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2023
Last season, the Blazers had a record of 33-49. Portland has missed the NBA playoffs in each of the past two seasons. Lillard’s best playoff run with Portland came in the 2018-19 season when the Blazers reached the Western Conference Finals.
After owning the third overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Trail Blazers look to be in rebuild mode with young guards in Anfernee Simons and rookie Scoot Henderson.
About Damian Lillard
Before his time as a professional, Lillard was a standout player for the Weber State men’s basketball team. He left Weber State as the program’s second-leading scorer all-time.
Lillard played for the Wildcats from 2008-12.
He scored 1,934 points during his time as a Wildcat. His jersey was retired by the university in 2017.
.@wojespn has the latest on Damian Lillard's trade request from the Portland Trail Blazers. pic.twitter.com/fK8BOVgolS
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 1, 2023
Lillard was drafted by Portland with the 6th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.
In 2022, Lillard was recognized as one of the NBA’s 75 greatest players in history.
He’s played his entire professional career in Portland.
This story was first published by Sactown Sports‘ sister station, KSL Sports. Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
