Damian Lillard really wants to leave the Portland Trail Blazers but his tactics to make that happen could hurt him.
The NBA recently sent a memo to all teams saying that any player, or agent, who makes public or private comments saying he won’t “fully perform the services called for under his player contract in the event of a trade” could be subject to “discipline.”
This was obviously a reference to Lillard and his desire to head to the Miami Heat.
Stephen A. Smith wasn’t too happy with the league’s memorandum and he let that be known on ESPN.
“I think it brings into question the character of a Damian Lillard and I don’t appreciate that,” Smith said.
He added: “I know Damian Lillard. If Damian Lillard is not traded, he’s going to stay in Portland and he’s going to ball.”
Smith said that Lillard’s agent was only doing his job when he suggested that other teams not attempt to sign his client.
He allegedly said that Lillard wouldn’t be happy on any team aside from the Heat, perhaps even suggesting that he wouldn’t play to the best of his ability if he didn’t get the trade he wanted.
This led the NBA to react and that’s what has Smith so upset.
Following this memo, Lillard and his management made it clear that he would play hard for any team that signs him.
Still, there is no doubt that he intends to sign with Miami.
Negotiations between the Blazers and Heat are still ongoing and they haven’t resulted in a trade yet.
So some people are starting to wonder if Lillard will be stuck with the Blazers when the new season starts.
If he is, Lillard will have to prove that he meant it when he said he’ll devote himself to any team, not just the Heat.
NEXT: Blazers Reportedly Have 1 Preference In Potential Damian Lillard Trade
