Report: Lillard requests trade

[Who]

Heat would be a poor man's version of the suns. They would have no bench at all.

Perhaps with better balance among their stars. Lillard (shooter / scorer PG), Jimmy (well rounded wing) and Bam (defensive anchor and offensive facilitator) fit together so well.

Better than Beal, Booker and Durant.

[jpotter33]

https://twitter.com/shamscharania/status/1675176002207510528?s=46&t=lGU0TGXtwjkuVuoin6WTNw

The Portland Trail Blazers have been informed that Damian Lillard wants a trade specifically to the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat, multiple sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.

No way they should limit themselves just to Miami. Absolutely no obligation to do that. You can be reasonable and tell him to give you a few teams he prefers, but they should feel absolutely no pressure to trade him solely to Miami if they’re not offering a good deal.

Really frustrating how players have this kind of leverage, even if it isn't the best opportunity for the Blazers moving forward.

Yeah, honestly screw Dame at this point. He’s been on the fence and immature with his requests and subtle leaks the last several weeks (see the “Welcome to Miami” IG live video), and his fence sitting just made them offer a ridiculous offer to Grant that is going to be a major albatross for them moving forward.

I’d just go to Dame and tell him that Miami simply doesn’t have enough and make him give you other acceptable options. Make him sit out if he really wants to go that route. There’s no way I’m taking their poo poo platter just because he’s trying to force his way there. Remember, it’s a business after all.

[Valid]

This isn't a Kawhi situation where a team is risking losing the player after just one year. Lillard is under team control through 2026 and doesn't have a no-trade clause. Unless the Blazers just feel obligated to give him what he wants, he has absolutely zero control over where Portland decides to move him.

[Who]

POR should pull out of that Jerami Grant agreement. Nothing is signed yet. Tell him things have changed because they have. No longer needed. Goodbye.

[PAOBoston]

I expect him to go to Miami. That gives Miami maximum a two year window if that. Dame will be 33 when the season starts. Butler will be 34. There’s a lot of miles on those two. Small undersized guards like Dame just don’t age well (and he hasn’t either the last two years). I’d be curious what magic Riley does to fill out that roster. They’ve already lost Vincent and Strus. Would have to think they would need to trade some Herro + some combo of Lowry/Robinson/Martin and picks.

Question is, why would Portland want that? supposedly they want young players and picks. not old or overpaid garbage.

Because they are a small market franchise who will end up accommodating Dame in the end.

[Who]

Length of contract is not the only factor that gives a player control over where he gets traded to.

A player can exert as much control as he wants to if he is willing to be villified for it. He can refuse to go any team. He can tell every other team he will not report to them if traded to them. That they will be wasting their trade assets because he will never play for them. It is all about how willing the player is to be a problem and dictate his path.

Luckily for POR, Lillard does not seem to be this type of person so they should have more wiggle room here. But I always feel the focus solely on the contract is incorrect. There are other ways to force yourself to where you want to go beyond your contract. It is all about the willingness of the player to use those tools.

[SHAQATTACK]

Nope , your here buddy ,  too bad soooo sad

[keevsnick]

This isn't a Kawhi situation where a team is risking losing the player after just one year. Lillard is under team control through 2026 and doesn't have a no-trade clause. Unless the Blazers just feel obligated to give him what he wants, he has absolutely zero control over where Portland decides to move him.

Ya but no team wants to be the guy who acquires a superstar who explicitly doesn't want to be there. The guy just pouts, makes everyone miserable, the agents gets p---ed and every star watching takes note.

[Csfan1984]

POR should pull out of that Jerami Grant agreement. Nothing is signed yet. Tell him things have changed because they have. No longer needed. Goodbye.

I agree. Just accomodat a sign and trade for expirings if he desires.

[Valid]

This isn't a Kawhi situation where a team is risking losing the player after just one year. Lillard is under team control through 2026 and doesn't have a no-trade clause. Unless the Blazers just feel obligated to give him what he wants, he has absolutely zero control over where Portland decides to move him.

Ya but no team wants to be the guy who acquires a superstar who explicitly doesn't want to be there. The guy just pouts, makes everyone miserable, the agents gets p---ed and every star watching takes note.

The scenario you mentioned typically happens when a player has one year left on his deal. Lillard has three years left. He's not going to sit and pout for three years.

[PAOBoston]

POR should pull out of that Jerami Grant agreement. Nothing is signed yet. Tell him things have changed because they have. No longer needed. Goodbye.

No free agent would ever sign there again if a team did that.

[keevsnick]

POR should pull out of that Jerami Grant agreement. Nothing is signed yet. Tell him things have changed because they have. No longer needed. Goodbye.

I agree. Just accomodat a sign and trade for expirings if he desires.

Oh boy that would be a black mark for the franchise. Pulling a guys deal after all the fee agency money has dried up. Agents would black list them for sure.

Plus i'm not like 100% sure grant won't still be a trade asset. His contract will start at 27.6 million next year which is only about 20% of the cap. Its through his age 33 season so not like outrageous age wise. A year long than ideal but fine.

[Who]

POR should pull out of that Jerami Grant agreement. Nothing is signed yet. Tell him things have changed because they have. No longer needed. Goodbye.

No free agent would ever sign there again if a team did that.

Of course they would. Money talks.

[keevsnick]

This isn't a Kawhi situation where a team is risking losing the player after just one year. Lillard is under team control through 2026 and doesn't have a no-trade clause. Unless the Blazers just feel obligated to give him what he wants, he has absolutely zero control over where Portland decides to move him.

Ya but no team wants to be the guy who acquires a superstar who explicitly doesn't want to be there. The guy just pouts, makes everyone miserable, the agents gets p---ed and every star watching takes note.

The scenario you mentioned typically happens when a player has one year left on his deal. Lillard has three years left. He's not going to sit and pout for three years.

No, he will play, but he'll make his feelings known and other players will take note.

Don't get me wrong, there's a point at which it would still make sense for both POR and Team X to do the deal anyway. But its a factor both will consider. Guys typically go where they want, Kawhi being the main exception.

[Birdman]

Lillard for TimeLord, Brogdon, Pritchard & couple firsts would do it..
Porzingis
Horford
Tatum
Brown
Lillard
White
Kornet
Brisset
Hauser
Walsh
Try get couple cheap vets