NBA Sends Out Memo To All 30 Teams About Damian Lillard Trade Talk

MIAMI, FLORIDA – JANUARY 05: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after losing to the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on January 05, 2020 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

By STEVEN VAUGHAN, 750 THE GAME

It has been almost a month since Damian Lillard requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. There has been a lot of different reports saying Lillard only wants to play in Miami, but now the NBA is stepping in and sending out a memo to all NBA teams regarding the trade demands by Damian Lillard and agent, Aaron Goodwin.

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

Here is the full memo from the NBA:

“Recent media reports stated that Damian Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, called multiple NBA teams to warn them against trading for Lillard because Lillard’s only desired trade destination is Miami. Goodwin also made public comments indicating that Lillard would not fully perform the services called for under his player contract if traded to another team. We interviewed Goodwin and Lillard and also spoke with several NBA teams to whom Goodwin spoke. Goodwin denied stating or indicating to any team that Lillard would refuse to play for them. Goodwin and Lillard affirmed to us that Lillard would fully perform the services called for under his player contract in any trade scenario. The relevant teams provided descriptions of their communications with Goodwin that were mostly, though not entirely, consistent with Goodwin’s statements to us. We have advised Goodwin and Lillard that any future comments, made privately to teams or publicly, suggesting Lillard will not fully perform the services called for under his player contract in the event of a trade will subject Lillard to discipline by the NBA. We also have advised the Players Association that any similar comments by players or their agents will be subject to discipline going forward.”

There had been talks that Lillard wouldn’t report to training camp if he was traded to a team he didn’t want to go to. That never seemed like a thing Damian Lillard would do, but according to the memo. Both Lillard and Goodwin have seemed to never said they wouldn’t report to a team they don’t want to go to. What does that mean?

More teams could become aggressive in a trade for the superstar point guard. Knowing that if Lillard is traded and he will report to his new team will incentivize other teams to be aggressive in a trade. It had seemed that Miami was the easy answer as to where Lillard will play next. Now with this memo being sent out to every team. There could be more teams involved now. Which means Blazers GM Joe Cronin could get his wish and get a haul back when they do actually trade Damian Lillard.

@steven_von