NBA's New Warning Could Impact James Harden's Trade Request

In response to Damian Lillard and his agent stating the Portland Trail Blazers star wants to play for the Miami Heat and only the Miami Heat, the NBA sent out a memo on Friday, which was shared in its entirety by insider Chris Haynes:

"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."

While the memo was of course primarily addressing Lillard's situation, it could also impact James Harden and his trade request from the Philadelphia 76ers. There have been several reports stating that Harden wants to play for the LA Clippers and only the LA Clippers; however, if he had any plans of publicly discouraging other teams to deal for him, the NBA has now warned against such comments.

It's unclear how Harden plans to approach the future of his trade request, especially if the 76ers remain reluctant to accept what the Clippers are offering, but the NBA made it very clear on Friday that players cannot suggest that they would "not fully perform the services called for" in their contract if not sent to their preferred destination.

Set to become a free agent after next season, it seems Harden and his camp could inform teams he would not re-sign if dealt somewhere other than the Clippers, but he could not threaten to sit out. This was already a situation to monitor, and the NBA's latest memo makes it even more interesting.

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