Damian Lillard‘s agent, Aaron Goodwin, confirms that his client only wants to be traded to the Heat, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski previously reported that Goodwin was attempting to steer his client to Miami while discouraging other teams from pursuing a trade for the perennial All-Star guard. In comments to Jackson, Lillard’s agent responded to that ESPN report.
“I do what I should for my client. Some teams I did call. Other teams have called me,” Goodwin said. “It’s a respectful relationship with most teams. Truthfully, he wants to play in Miami. Period.”
Despite Lillard’s focus on Miami, Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin plans to speak with other GMs and team presidents during the Las Vegas Summer League. Still, Goodwin believes Cronin will eventually grant Lillard’s wish, Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian tweets.
“I had a positive conversation with Joe and I made it clear that Damian would want them to sit down and have a meaningful negotiation with Miami.” Goodwin said. “And I think that’s something that Joe and the Blazers will do.”
We have more on Lillard:
- So what if Lillard gets traded to another team besides the Heat? A source familiar with his thinking claims that the star guard would hold out, according to Mark Medina of Sportsnaut.com. “He just wouldn’t go,” the source said. “He just wouldn’t report. … I don’t think the other team would trade for him knowing that he doesn’t want to be there.” While it’s possible that source is right about how Lillard would respond to being traded to a non-Heat team, it’s hard not to interpret it as a leverage play, given that Lillard has four years remaining on his contract.
- The Jazz made a call to to the Blazers regarding Lillard but didn’t make any type of formal offer, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Although Utah could dangle draft picks and developing young players for Lillard, he doesn’t fit the timeline for its young core, Wojnarowski points out.
- A couple of league sources close to the situation told the Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang that it wouldn’t be surprising if Lillard remains in limbo for weeks while Portland waits for better trade offers. Lillard’s desire to go to Miami could depresses the market. With the start of training camp still three months away. the Heat don’t have to push the panic button and increase whatever offer they have on the table.
- The Sixers haven’t entirely ruled out the possibility of trading for Lillard, but they’ve “consistently underplayed” the odds of it happening, sources tell Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice.com.
Portland should get the best deal they can and call his bluff. If he doesn’t wanna play then he can just sit out and Portland won’t pay his salary. Eventually he’ll cave.
I agree that Lillard needs to be traded to Heat.
But
Does Lillard really love Portland?
Please answer
If true love, one thing is absolutely required
Help the Blazers to get the equal value.
Something like
1 star level player + 4 Firsts
Fire Blazers GM Only if he is not able to get the equal value,
Disagree on Lillard to heat for different reasons. The heat themselves interfered. Also think Dame should fire his agent.
It’s actually in Dames best interest to have a bidding war. Wouldn’t be surprised if the league gets involved. This type of behavior reflects poorly on the league, owners and players and is detrimental to the league.
This could be far worse then Ja. Ja had a toy gun.
Reason I’m stretching this is because that is what has happened.
With that said. Portland and Dame pulled a fast one ☝️ as both parties were in cahoots.
The heat can’t get Dame without appeasing portland. Portland and the heat want something for Dame too but depleting either team hurts. It’ll take multiple teams to get this right or the heat and any other team should just stand down. Let portland hold and move him next deadline or off-season.
No doubt that teams can better prepare to make good offers in 2024. So many teams has the cap and could have used their cap for him. Giving up players now hurts because the market has dried up.
Maybe the heat don’t care ♀️
They might give up all their good roll players and say what the heck.
Dude you got alot of words mixed up. But I get the gist here, but your wrong. Dame will be a 6 foot nothing 34 year old that hasn’t played a full season in a while by next off season. His values is only going to get worse, also the teams with more don’t need a guy his age really. Miami needs to make a real offer, but Portland needs to do right by a guy who could have gotten paid anywhere and made a request 5 years ago.
Portland lo tiene q cambiar al equipo q le de la mejor oferta esta bien fue leal a portland pero para eso le pagaron siempre el maximo no fue q perdon 10 millones para q portland fuera mejor asi q portland no tiene porq cambiarlo donde el quiera
An acquiring team has to call his bluff also. Would you trade for him, attempting to call his bluff, other new teammates then having to answer questions about a guy holding out who has never even played with them yet.
Other players noticing a lack of commitment from the biggest star not playing.
Possible fining. Threatening. Probable further fining him for sitting out. Dealing with the players union.
You make this sound to easy to make someone play.
This movie has played out before. If you are an organization willing to deal with continuous distractions for x length of time, and possible cohesiveness and happiness of ALL of the rest of the players. Then go right ahead.
Hard pass for me.
Plus you have to give alot of assets for all that headache and a guy that’s like 6’1 33 years old and hasn’t played a full season in a bit. A guy who don’t want to play for your team,and a guy who already has a team offering 2 firsts, multiple swaps, and a guy worth another couple firsts.
Why would you give up anything meaningful for a 33-year old PG on a max contract who doesn’t want to be there?
Because he’s under contract and that’s how contracts work.
Yeah no it isn’t. He is old enough that he could be lackluster and sit alot and it look normal ie James Harden
The problem with that, is Portland isn’t a highly sought out destination and trying to screw over Liliard, would certainly remove any chance of them becoming somewhat of a free agent destination
If Blazers trade Lillard to Heat directly, then its a mistake to match the offer for Thybulle
Why?
When you get back someone like overpaid Herro or Lowry, you wil be down for the years to come. Cost saving is only thing you should do.
At this point, I hope Lillard ends up on any contender not named Miami.
Good luck to the Blazers here. Not that I’m a fan of them as a front office or organization, but I hope they don’t give in to his specific demands.
At this point I hope he lands in obscurity. Like with the Hornets. I know it won’t happen, but I really disagree with this approach. Player empowerment is just so effing stupid.
So Dame Lillard now gets to decide who he plays for even when he’s under contract for 4 more years?
Lilliard went from Zero to Drama Quuen fast.
Or maybe this is the guy he always was: one with a carefully crafted image to seem like the good, loyal player whose true colors are now being revealed.
I mean, these guys have teams of people working for them with the sole purpose of making them as likeable—and thus marketable—as possible. And, as fans, the things we get to see and hear are usually just the things they want us to see and hear. It wouldn’t be hard to fool the public.
And this is exactly why one shouldn’t get too attached to celebrities. It’s fine to like them, but be prepared for reality to be nothing like the fantasy.
Just like Donovan Mitchell wouldn’t play for any team other than the Knicks
I think it was Leonard who didn’t want to play for anyone except LA. Spurs traded him to Toronto anyways.
Don’t sign a contract then. I’m all for leverage but it seems Dame has 0 and may even hurt his reputation on the way out (but that more based of comments here than knowledge of how all the Portland fans actually feel).
He’s a “Player” he doesn’t get to pick and choose where he wants to play. If the “Owners” being Portland want to trade him to the team that gives them their best return so be it. It’s Portland’s right to do so and Lillard needs to abide by it. Second of all who does this agent think he is telling other teams to not trade for him
The Blazers are accommodating a star player who was loyal to them and this is how he acts? I am very pro player, but it is hard to like a player who is acting like this (assuming reports are true).
What have they accommodated?
His bank account…
They are accommodating his trade request.
I get both sides of the argument and I am certainly not opposed to a player wanting a trade, but they have free agency to go anywhere they want. Once they commit to a contract, the team that pays them the money should get the chance to maximize the asset.
Or, at a bare minimum, if you would ask for a trade give your team the opportunity to pursue the best possible return it could find.
I agree. No trade clauses aren’t as common in the NBA as in other sports but, if a player is willing to take a modest pay cut to have one inserted, it should be an option to allow a player to legally handcuff a team to how he can be moved. Without it, it allows players to bully their teams and fanbases into getting their way. As a Nets’ fan, when KD, Kyrie and the Beard were on the court, I loved to watch them go, but the power they exerted over the organization and the fans was unbearable.
Portland should just tell him that they’ll only trade him to Miami if he gives them back $10 million or fill in arbitrary number…
That would just be helping Miami lol
Phew! Lillard on the Jazz would be great. It just would likely take way too much to get him. Plus, there’s no guarantee he will be healthy the whole time while eating a big chunk of your cap space.
The NBA really needs to put a max on these ridiculous contracts. It really does destroy team building. Just look at the stranglehold Westbrook had on the Lakers.
Finally a decent take.
Historically Miami has been highly skilled in cobbling together pieces to acquire a player they covet. I wouldn’t be one bit surprised if they manage that here. That would almost certainly be in everyone’s best interest, especially Lillard who can request a trade until the cows come home, but is still saddled with a four year (very rich) obligation. If he gets traded to the Fort Wayne Pistons does that mean Miami talks to The Cooz?
Portland want Adebayo. Miami wanted to trade injury prone Herro and some scrubs. Portland will definitely trade Lillard to other teams with a better trade assets.
Maybe, but I can’t imagine it happening without three or four teams involved.
I see this deal going down in a couple weeks ( pre training camp ) Cronin will put out the illusion he’s shopping for the best deal while meanwhile Pat will be putting together the deal w the various 3rd 4 th parties involved ( like an adult )
If there was ever a time to give 2k the green light , it’s here , Pats history of involving even up to 5 team deals is pretty significant to note
They need a way of finding transfer value on Herro, Sas you awake ? Sone expirings can. Be folded into Por as well so Cronin. Can quote cap space after as well , he will need to find sone cover as the package will be uninspiring I imagine and he wil be relegated to buzz words in defense of his futility
The NBA is NOT Hilton Honors, which if you are Bill Simmons apparently feels like making a real honor roll? Which yeah, buying education credentials as a wealthy southern Californian tracks…but in any case
LOYALTY POINTS DON’T EXIST IN THE NBA. What sane Portland fan is looking at him right now and thinking, “what a guy, what a team player.” Should have left years ago. He only hurt himself and only has himself to blame!
Lillard is under contract for 4 years. Portland should trade him where they get the best deal. He gets paid no matter where he goes. The Blazers have to do what is best for their franchise, not what is best for Lillard.
3 parties are working to get this Result:
Win Win Win
Heat are exciting.
Blazers are exciting.
Lillard is exciting.
Screw Lillard, the last time I checked he doesn’t have no trade clause. Portland needs to make the best deal for Portland. I don’t trade Lillard unless I like the return. I keep him, if he wants to sit out and forfeit 40+ million this year so be it.
Harden picks for lillard… perfect salary match
Why would Portland want Harden?
Herro for Lillard straight up works now Dame just annihilated the market
Well, Miami ain’t paying fifty cents for the D Train?
They have nothing to offer!!!!
I just figure out this
It needs 4 teams
Third team to offer 1 star player
Fourth team to offer more draft picks
Look below this thread I got you covered. Third team-star player: Toronto-Anunoby. 4th team-picks Brooklyn -takes Herro, Ben to Por
Rule number one: dont ever trust a billionaire, they are all frauds and scammers.
Ridiculous
Lillard has to own his agent’s actions, but it’s hard to believe either thinks behavior like this helps their cause even from a selfish standpoint. Maybe Lillard thinks that, if POR is involved, then all he has to do to get his way is stomp his feet, and he can have his agent do even that for him. Maybe he’s right. If he isn’t, then his nonsense is hurting his chances of getting what he wants. At some point, players treating their contracts as non-binding on their end is a league issue, even if Silver elects to ignore it.
Adam Silver should ban Lillard from the NBA. Shut up and play. What, 50 mil isn’t enough to bounce a ball up and down? You got people on here talking about how loyal he was to the Blazers, ok so what? He was still paid hundreds of millions of dollars. If one of these dogs asks out, they should lose their privledge of playing professional sports. Without the NBA, the only things that would be coming out of these guys mouths are “May I take your order”. Thats the problem with paying these dogs millions of dollars to bounce a ball
Lmfao! What a fantastically horrible and stupid take.
Mets got you that hurt this year huh? Sad.
“May I take your order?” Did the bots put your post up for review when you used the actual word you wanted to use so instead you changed it to dogs?
Ban Lillard is a bit much, but I’m all for banning Aaron Goodwin from the NBA. Make an example out of him and send a message to every agent in the league. Trying to bully other teams into not dealing with a certain team is not ok.
And also the agent of Trayce Jackson-Davis, at least fined severely. To tell all teams to not draft your guy (who was supposed to be late first-early second) and falling to the last spot to the Warriors is outrageous, should be forbidden
Ouch
I think his agent has learned from Rich Paul how to steer his clients to the agents preferred destination. Rich Paul should not be able to be an agent.
Agent said “I do what I should for my client”. Sure, is up to Portland’s FO to oblige or not. I think he has gone too far saying that Dame will sit out in any other team not named Miami. Hurts his client image and reputation I don’t believe Lillard would really do that.
So, I would like to read some trade ideas to get the deal done with Dame going to Miami.
If Portland does not want Herro and his contract, MIA has to flip him somewhere. Rebuilding teams like SAS,Utah,CHA,ORL but I don’t think they want to send their valuable 1st rounders to POR just for Herro
I had this trade idea that still makes the most sense to me: 4 team Por,Mia,Broo,Tor.
Miami gets: Lillard, Thad Young and Malachi Flynn
Portland gets; Ben Simmons, OG Anunoby and Nic Claxton plus 3 or 4 1st picks from Brooklyn
Brooklyn gets: Herro, Nurkic, Boucher, Caleb Martin and Jovic
Toronto gets: Lowry and Finney-Smith plus Miami’s 1st ’28 and ’30
Financially works for everyone. You can add Cam Thomas or Jaquez in the mix as well if you think one of the teams need more.
Pros and Cons:
Miami: + Lillard of course and some salary relief that translates to less taxes
– Caleb Martin inclusion could be a dealbreaker
Portland: + OG, offloads Nurkic and a young rim protector in Claxton plus the picks
– Taking on Ben’s contract. But they are in position to be patient and maybe (long shot) they can get his mind back
Toronto: + wants to part with OG (he asked a ridiculous extension), gets DFS in return (a downgrade but not that much) and Lowry, the franchise hero to backup Schroder plus two valuable 1st from Miami
– Ujiri may want Mars and the moon for OG as usual, dealbreaker
Brooklyn: + Gets rid of Ben’s contract and ends up with a terrific lineup with a deep bench. Starters: Dinwiddie,Herro,Cam Johnson,Bridges,Nurkic.
Bench: Cam Thomas,Lonnie Walker,O’Neale, Caleb Martin, Boucher plus Dennis Smith,Jovic and others.
You need more defense? Take Herro or Johnson and insert O’Neal. You need to spread the floor and more rim protection? Boucher over Nurkic
– Loses the picks and Claxton
I would like to read some better ideas getting Lillard to Miami, bring them on
A 4 team, 13 player, 6 pick trade shouldn’t make sense to anyone.
The reports about the Knicks passing ok n Grimes, Top pop in, Fournier, pucks, and swaps for Paul George makes me ask the question if he is available
I would rather trade Herro, Lowry, Jacquez, Highsmith, 2 picks and swaps for Paul George (and Marcus Morris) than giving up a bunch of stuff beyond just Lowry and Herro for Lillard…
No Caleb, No Jovic, No Jaime
Way to screw your team over, Dame! Hope they trade you to basketball Siberia
Wasn’t Dame considered one of the most loyal, good dudes in the league just a few months ago. I can understand him not wanting to stay in Portland with a team that isn’t going to seriously compete for a title, but to suggest he may not report if he’s not traded to the Heat seems to fly in the face of what I, and many others thought of him.
I appreciate that organizations also don’t show loyalty or respect at times, but if you are serious about wanting to win a title instead of spending time in a tax free sunny state, then to force your way to a team that would still not be the favourite with you on it seems to be an oxymoron.
So everyone is just going to take some reporter like Mike Medina’s random “source” at his word. Until we here it from Dame aren’t we jumping the gun?
This source could be someone who for Miami trying to drive down Portland’s offer, someone from Portland’s front office trying to make Dame look bad or there could be no source and Medina is trying to get clicks. These guys all play hardball these days.
He’ll get to Miami. Portland should get Herro, and any other needed salary match as well as Jaquez, Jovic,and picks. Make Miami take Nurkic too.
The Blazers just need to take a very hard line. Leak the negotiations to Windy and Woj, and tell Dame and his agent to get on Miami hard for the deal to be made or the Blazers will simply say no and refuse to trade him, tough s**t.
The ONLY ways to get what you want and need in negotiation is 1. Refuse to back down 2. Be willing to walk.
All of these people shamed Lillard for wanting to stay in Portland. He finally says, “ok, I guess trade me to the Heat,” and all of the sudden everyone has issues with him. They were somehow a fluke to be where they were, but at the same time, they’re saying he is running from the grind lol. Which isbit? The saltiness is from people wanting him in their team
As much as I have been a fan of Lillard though, as a Heat fan, the truth is, I would prefer to pass, especially if its beyond what I’ve already mentioned. It just doesnt make sense for the Heat going forward
He’s not saying “I guess trade me to the Heat”. He’s saying “I demand you trade me to the Heat, and I don’t care if you get back the worst possible return as a result”, as evidenced by his agent essentially saying he’ll be a malignant tumor should they try to trade him anywhere else. If Lillard hadn’t carefully and purposefully crafted him image as that of the loyal superstar it would be one thing. But because he has, and because it’s clear that was all just an act, people are rightfully calling out his bs. Don’t talk the talk if you aren’t gonna walk the walk when the time comes.
Oh, and I personally have never criticized Lillard for staying in Portland. I wouldn’t have even cared if he spent his entire career with the franchise. It’s his life and he should live it however he sees fit. Who cares what your random fan or brainless media personality thinks? But that doesn’t excuse his hypocritical behavior here after years of the loyalty fluff.
Heat should be focused on getting younger otherwise they’re just going to limp into the playoffs again and chances are they won’t be so lucky again. Dame does not win them a championship.
Agreed @lil d MVC aka UNO !!
Heat were super lucky in 2020 getting to the finals, even more lucky in 2022 coming one shot away from the finals, and again were the luckiest team ever last year getting to the finals.
And yes, they should avoid trading for Dame bc he’s hes too old and Riley should trade all over 30 years old and get younger in hopes to legitimately win a championship without any luck whatsoever.
Silver has to do something about this. It happens every year now. The last bargaining agreement added contract incentives for teams to keep their stars. What good is that when they can demand a trade soon after taking the biggest payday to stay with the team. I was disappointed when Kawhi left Toronto, but at least he didn’t take the extra 50 million and then demand a trade
The NBA needs to instigate rules regarding no trade clauses…
If you don’t have one you get penalties for asking for a trade…
Get placed on a lower teir salary for asking out… Lose years or over 50% of their salary if they or their agent tries to steer them to a specific team…
I agree with you but the sad thing is Lillard doesn’t even have a NTC
Well, it doesn’t just have to fall on Silver, although I don’t disagree with your point. If I’m the GM of another team, I’m not helping Lillard get to Miami because of the precedent it would set moving forward. At some point, you have to draw a line and not be party to this nonsense for the health of the league.
If he goes to Miami it needs to be a three team trade to facilitate the move. Only way I see it happening but Miami may lose a solid piece or two and picks.
This is getting boring ………
We’ve always known he wants Miami. It has always been about the Heat. Nobody is making a better offer. Cause nobody needs him that bad. The Heat is the perfect team for Dame.
Anybody who can take the Jazz seriously. Needs to stop posting here for EVER. Why would they want him. Dame is 33 yrs old. He’s about next 2-3 yrs. Not many teams fit that timeline. Even less have the assets to trade for him in that group. So stop all the nonsense. And all this blank space. And just find someone to take Herro. So we can move on.
The only thing I can see happening here. Is somehow the Sixers and Clippers get in on this. To make this trade work. Harden can go to LA.
Dame’s reputation has taken a huge hit…
And rightfully so…
KG is beloved in Minnesota because he let the team find what they thought was best…
Miami doesn’t have a decent trade package for an All star…
I’d take the Spurs route and send him out for the best value return… Let the next team deal with it…
They dont have a good enough trade package? That isnt the issue. The issue is Pirtland gave Simons a terrible clown contract, and cant get anyone to take him, so they have to pretend they dont want Herro b/c in reality, they would rather keep him than Simons, but dont want to look bad by admitt5nobody wants him in a trade for obvious reasons, which is the ultimately real reason they’re losing Lillard in the first place
We just saw what players on contracts like this, with certain skillsets, go for. Dont try to pretend like now all of the sudden, the world needs to move to satisfy a return. This is just politicing at this point, to try to change the price. These are the types of things that go back and forth until Portland can move him and feel like they can pretend like they tried hard to “get more,” b/c they know how a lot of people would react to seeing how a real trade like that looks, and want people to think they didnt just “give in.”
Again, if it was me, I wouldnt trade him, and would make my moves the way I would have if I was keeping him, and then try to see how the season plays out the first couple of months. I personally think they have a chance to be a lot better, if they were to add 1-2 gettable pieces. I said the same about KD last year. I wouldnt trade him
Portland should focus on getting the best package possible and not accommodate where he wants to go. Miami doesn’t have the best package unless they include Bam. Not happening