Portland star 'has something similar' to a no-trade clause

Damian Lillard. Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

Damian Lillard 'has something similar' to a no-trade clause

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 7/11/23

According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, who was speaking on a July 11 episode of "The Pat McAfee Show," Lillard has 'something similar' to a no-trade clause.

Charania was referring to the fact that teams around the NBA will be unlikely to trade for a disgruntled star.

"He wants to be in Miami, period," Charania said. "And if you trade for him, I think there's the risk of trading for a disgruntled player. And my sense is that there's not going to be a team there. Dame Lillard at the age almost entering his mid-30s, obviously, we know he's got several years left at playing at a high level.

You don't want to trade for a guy that you could bring in and then he's either going to be disgruntled, not happy, could ask out again. So I do think he doesn't have a no-trade clause, but he kind of has something similar to that right now."

The Clippers and Celtics have “a level of interest” in acquiring Damian Lillard, per @ShamsCharania on @PatMcAfeeShow (https://t.co/iY1OA9Zdbj).

However, Lillard is only willing to sign off on joining the Heat:

“He doesn’t have a no-trade clause, but he kinda has something… pic.twitter.com/xBHL3YTJ56
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 11, 2023

Lillard's current contract and desire to only represent the Miami Heat have the Portland Trail Blazers in a tough position. On their own, the Heat can't offer a package enticing enough to get a deal over the line. Yet, there are also very few teams that would be willing to help facilitate a deal that positions Miami as potential championship favorites.

Portland needs Lillard to soften his stance if they wish to get fair value for his services in return. However, Lillard has been incredibly loyal to the franchise and now likely feels he deserves to be traded to the team of his choice. The hold-up on a trade is purely ego-driven business from both sides.

Joe Cronin is on record stating a potential Lillard trade 'could take months.' However long it takes, the only outcome that seems to make any sense is that Portland will fold. At this point, Lillard will be playing on South Beach.

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