28 July 2023 , 22:38
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Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard has reportedly been told that he will face disciplinary action if he is to go on record about his desire for a trade to the Miami Heat.
The point guard has become synonymous with Portland over the past 11 years but the superstar has been unequivocal about his desire to depart in the hope of finally winning a championship. The 33-year-old is coming off a season during which he averaged 32.2 points for the Portland Trail Blazers but it is clear that he would now prefer a parting of ways.
Now, the NBA has informed Lillard and his agent Aaron Goodwin that any future protestations of his desire to only be traded to Miami could land him in hot water. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, a memo was sent to all 30 teams with regard to the player's trade request. It said that any further comments to that end would potentially subject him to disciplinary measures.
In the memo, it stated that Goodwin had made "public comments indicating that Lillard would not fully perform the services called for under his player contract if traded to another team." It added that Goodwin had "denied stating or indicating to any team that Lillard would refuse to play for them."
The NBA also stated that Goodwin and Lillard had "affirmed" to them that the point guard would "fully perform the services called for under his player contract in any trade scenario." They have also informed the National Basketball Players Association that this case will set a precedent and that any other player who makes similar comments would be subject to disciplinary procedures.
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Lillard has, of course, already requested a trade - doing so at the beginning of July - and has not been short on potential suitors in the time since with Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers all maintaining interest. The seven-time All-NBA select has already been forthright in his assertion that he favours a move to Miami, however.
Still, without an NBA championship to his name, it appears that he is now resigned to never achieving his dream in Portland. In truth, the team has never gotten close to thi objective and he now has his heart set on a move to the reigning Eastern Conference champions.
Damian Lillard has asked the Portland Trail Blazers to trade him this offseason. (Getty Images)He previously told " The Last Stand" podcast : "I think I've made it clear what my wishes are. I want to have the opportunity to win in Portland, and right now we’ve got an opportunity asset-wise to build a team that can compete.
"That would be the No. 1 thing. But if we can't do that, then obviously, like I've said for months now, then it's a separate conversation that we would have to have."
Blazers general manager Joe Cronin previously spoke of the Blazers' eagerness to keep Lillard. However, the fact that they failed to make the playoffs for a second year during this past season - and they have only done so four times in his 11 years - demonstrates why the superstar has had his head turned.