NBA Sends League-Wide Memo Due To Damian Lillard’s Trade Request To Miami Heat

Portland Trailblazers All-Star Damian Lillard and his agent, Aaron Goodwin, have sent a clear message to the rest of the league: Lillard only wants to play for the Miami Heat.

However, this could be subject to change.

On Saturday, Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reported the NBA has sent out a memo to all 30 organizations regarding Lillard and his agent’s statements.

Here’s a look:

"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."

This is bad news for Miami because these disciplinary threats may open the door for other teams to re-enter trade talks with the Blazers.

Anthony Pasciolla is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He can be reached at anthonypasciolla36@gmail.com or follow him on Tik Tok @anthonysports_