Report: Lillard requests trade

[Kernewek]

If Lillard's agent is calling teams to warn against trading for him, as a way to force his way to Miami, can the commissioner step in and fine Lillard and his agent? Better yet, could the commissioner veto a trade of Lillard to Miami because of what is essentially is becoming collusion?

It is clearly collusion or in violation of the CBA. If the commish doesn't step in, it sets a bad precedent for the league.

Very interested to understand how an agent’s conversation on behalf of his client could be considered collusion or a violation of the CBA in the fashion you’re describing.

Is it any different from Kristaps‘s agent saying he wouldn’t work out for the Process Sixers?

[jdrocko]

Well KP wasn't a Sixers player so he didn't owe anything to them, while any member of an organization should not sabotage it deliberately. I do agree the former is not really a sportsmanlike practice, but the latter is on a whole another level

[Neurotic Guy]

If Lillard's agent is calling teams to warn against trading for him, as a way to force his way to Miami, can the commissioner step in and fine Lillard and his agent? Better yet, could the commissioner veto a trade of Lillard to Miami because of what is essentially is becoming collusion?

It is clearly collusion or in violation of the CBA. If the commish doesn't step in, it sets a bad precedent for the league.

Very interested to understand how an agent’s conversation on behalf of his client could be considered collusion or a violation of the CBA in the fashion you’re describing.

Is it any different from Kristaps‘s agent saying he wouldn’t work out for the Process Sixers?

I think both situations are potentially collusive.  An agent/player conspires with a desired team by agreeing to avoid workouts with other teams so the desired team can select the player…. sounds like it creates an unfair competitive advantage for one team.   An agent/player conspires with a desired team to have the player demand a trade exclusively to that team while the team creates a low-value trade - preserving team’s essential core -  knowing the agent is eliminating competition from every other team by implying the player will be disengaged and a disruptive element if they trade for him. Yeah, that’s collusive and seems to creat a wrong/unfair competitive advantage for one team.

[Goldstar88]

Damian Lillard was interested in Warriors before the Chris Paul trade

Ramona Shelburne was a guest on 95.7 The Game, where she revealed that Damian Lillard had an interest in joining the Warriors before they traded for Chris Paul. “They could have waited for Dame,” Shelburne said. “Dame is from the Bay Area. I know he was interested. If he got to the point where he was going to ask for a trade and the list was given, the Warrior would have initially been on that list. Now, it’s not possible. They could have waited.” – via Sports Illustrated

[Celtics2021]

Damian Lillard was interested in Warriors before the Chris Paul trade

Ramona Shelburne was a guest on 95.7 The Game, where she revealed that Damian Lillard had an interest in joining the Warriors before they traded for Chris Paul. “They could have waited for Dame,” Shelburne said. “Dame is from the Bay Area. I know he was interested. If he got to the point where he was going to ask for a trade and the list was given, the Warrior would have initially been on that list. Now, it’s not possible. They could have waited.” – via Sports Illustrated

Woe is Dame.

[Kernewek]

If Lillard's agent is calling teams to warn against trading for him, as a way to force his way to Miami, can the commissioner step in and fine Lillard and his agent? Better yet, could the commissioner veto a trade of Lillard to Miami because of what is essentially is becoming collusion?

It is clearly collusion or in violation of the CBA. If the commish doesn't step in, it sets a bad precedent for the league.

Very interested to understand how an agent’s conversation on behalf of his client could be considered collusion or a violation of the CBA in the fashion you’re describing.

Is it any different from Kristaps‘s agent saying he wouldn’t work out for the Process Sixers?

I think both situations are potentially collusive.  An agent/player conspires with a desired team by agreeing to avoid workouts with other teams so the desired team can select the player…. sounds like it creates an unfair competitive advantage for one team.   An agent/player conspires with a desired team to have the player demand a trade exclusively to that team while the team creates a low-value trade - preserving team’s essential core -  knowing the agent is eliminating competition from every other team by implying the player will be disengaged and a disruptive element if they trade for him. Yeah, that’s collusive and seems to creat a wrong/unfair competitive advantage for one team.

Potentially collusive, sure, but Collusion is a two-way street. If Lillard is saying "I want to go to Miami" and his agent is telling other teams "guys Dame really wants Miami" there's no collusion there - the agent is doing his job.

Remember, anything Woj writes, tweets, or shared is written, tweeted or shared with an eye towards forwarding his agenda, namely that teams and agents will continue to call him first when it comes to breaking news. When we read Woj's paragraph here, we should be mindful of that:

As Cronin explores the broader landscape, Lillard's agent, Aaron Goodwin, has been calling prospective trade partners and warning against trading for his client, team executives told ESPN. Goodwin is telling organizations outside of Miami that trading for Lillard is trading for an unhappy player. As interference goes, this is a time-honored agent maneuver to depress offers and clear a path to a predetermined destination.

bolded emphasis mine, obviously.

Now, let's look at what the agent had to say about it:

"I do what I should for my client. Some teams I did call. Other teams have called me. It's a respectful relationship with most teams. Truthfully, he wants to play in Miami. Period."

Now, the natural next question is whether we would be hearing about this at all if Aaron Goodwin was a CAA agent (the organisation that reps Woj), rather than the head of his own agency. I suspect not.

[Celtics4ever]

If he doesn't want to come here, we should not pursue him

[celticsclay]

If Lillard's agent is calling teams to warn against trading for him, as a way to force his way to Miami, can the commissioner step in and fine Lillard and his agent? Better yet, could the commissioner veto a trade of Lillard to Miami because of what is essentially is becoming collusion?

It is clearly collusion or in violation of the CBA. If the commish doesn't step in, it sets a bad precedent for the league.

I agree. I’m not generally pro owner but this is nonsense. You signed the super max Dame can’t force your franchise into a horrible deal after that

Isn’t this the main method Lakers get who ever they want ..players forcing their way to LA and open door with no scruples

This narrative for the lakers getting all these players is pretty weird to me. In the last 15 years pretty much every big name free agent has chosen to sign with other teams outside of Lebron and they had tons of guys they wanted. The trades for stars were not like amazing deals for them either. They gave up a ton to get Davis (they are often criticized for giving up way too much). The Westbrook trade was obviously a bad trade for them. If the heat were giving up lonzo ball (not injured) Brandon Ingram, Josh hart a number 4 overall pick and multiple other first rounders and swaps people would be a lot less upset.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

It's a dangerous game of chicken. At some point, an agent and player's actions can ruin their reputation around the league.

When was the last time this happened this strongly? Leonard probably? The difference is that Lillard only has a few years of high level basketball left. He can't waste years sitting out.

[liam]

Dame took that huge contract that made sure the Blazers couldn't do anything and now he's trying to force a trade to a team with no assets.

[Phantom255x]

Dame took that huge contract that made sure the Blazers couldn't do anything and now he's trying to force a trade to a team with no assets.

Yep. If Herro is the best POR can get for him, they should just keep him. See if Lillard will actually sit out or wait a year, he still has 3 years of his contract left but also, he really hasn't been honest throughout this whole process. He's putting stuff out on IG Live or podcasts frequently. I doubt they give Grant that contract if they knew Lillard was out anyways.

What I find laughable too is the suggestion that Portland will trade him and take back Simmons from BKN in a deal. If the Blazers do that, cancel that franchise for good. Simmons is one of the worst contracts in the entire NBA right now easily.

[cons]

Yeah. His best bet is to just stay in Portland.
No one wants to pay that kind of money when he’s 35 years old
The longer this goes on the worse he looks.

[Who]

Dame took that huge contract that made sure the Blazers couldn't do anything and now he's trying to force a trade to a team with no assets.

Yep. If Herro is the best POR can get for him, they should just keep him. See if Lillard will actually sit out or wait a year, he still has 3 years of his contract left but also, he really hasn't been honest throughout this whole process. He's putting stuff out on IG Live or podcasts frequently. I doubt they give Grant that contract if they knew Lillard was out anyways.

What I find laughable too is the suggestion that Portland will trade him and take back Simmons from BKN in a deal. If the Blazers do that, cancel that franchise for good. Simmons is one of the worst contracts in the entire NBA right now easily.

I would rather have Herro, young guys & the picks than Lillard. Those assets are better than Lillard is for a rebuilding team. Clear the way for Scoot to start as well.

Trade Herro further down the line. Pick up another 1st or two from some playoff team that is desperate for scoring. There is always one or two of them.

[Wretch]

Dame took that huge contract that made sure the Blazers couldn't do anything and now he's trying to force a trade to a team with no assets.

Yep. If Herro is the best POR can get for him, they should just keep him. See if Lillard will actually sit out or wait a year, he still has 3 years of his contract left but also, he really hasn't been honest throughout this whole process. He's putting stuff out on IG Live or podcasts frequently. I doubt they give Grant that contract if they knew Lillard was out anyways.

What I find laughable too is the suggestion that Portland will trade him and take back Simmons from BKN in a deal. If the Blazers do that, cancel that franchise for good. Simmons is one of the worst contracts in the entire NBA right now easily.

If the blazers took Simmons it would be for the picks that the Nets would have to include not for the player.

If the Nets want Herro the Blazers could end up with a lot of picks and swaps to send Dame to Miami and absorb Simmons' contract.  Maybe Simmons recovers his confidence playing in small market without the playoff stakes and he reverts back to his all defense borderline all NBA form and the Blazers get the best of both worlds and get a player and a ton of picks

[cman88]

apparently Lillard is telling teams if they trade for him he won't report to camp and will sit out.

Not sure how anyone other than Heat fans can be on dames side here.