By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Since the beginning of the Damian Lillard trade saga, the player and his representatives have made it quite clear -directly or not- that the Miami Heat is the only team that the Portland Trail Blazers star is willing to land at.
After the appearance of certain reports according to which Lillard’s agent Aaron Goodwin is warning teams that his client doesn’t want to play anywhere other than with Miami, the NBA took notice and sent a memo to all 30 clubs of the league, mentioning that players and agents who make such moves will be facing disciplinary action.
NBA’s memo is as follows:
“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.”
Goodwin was reported to be telling potential Lillard suitors that the player will be “unhappy” if he gets sent to any team that is not the Heat. He has stated that Lillard’s goal is to continue his career in Miami.
After 11 years with the Blazers, Lillard requested a trade this summer. During his run in Portland, he’s tallied 25.2 points, 6.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds in 769 regular season games, along with 25.7 points, 6.7 assists and 4.2 rebounds in 61 postseason appearances.