The NBA on Friday sent teams a memo, obtained by USA TODAY Sports, regarding Portland Trail Blazers star guard Damian Lillard’s trade request, telling teams that Lillard and his agent, Aaron Goodwin, have been warned that future comments about not fully performing his duties under the player contract in the event of a trade will subject Lillard to discipline by the NBA.
Lillard, who would prefer a trade to the Miami Heat, requested a trade from Portland in early July shortly after the start of free agency, and the Trail Blazers confirmed Lillard’s request in a statement, saying they would explore trade opportunities that were in the best interest of the team.
According to an ESPN story earlier this month, Goodwin had told teams not located in Miami that they would be trading for an unhappy player.
“We interviewed Goodwin and Lillard and also spoke with several NBA teams to whom Goodwin spoke,” the NBA’s memo to teams said. “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.”
Lillard, 33, had been a mainstay of the Trail Blazers, playing all 11 seasons of his career in Portland. Known for his deep-range shooting, Lillard is coming off what is arguably his best season in the NBA, when he averaged a career-high 32.2 points per game to go with 7.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 58 games.
Lillard wants to play for a contender, and the Blazers are trying to build a team focused on younger players. Miami has interest in acquiring Lillard but has not been able to put together a trade package that entices the Blazers.
The Athletic first reported news of the memo.