Damian Lillard wants to go to the Miami Heat. He’s made that clear.
How far the Portland Trail Blazers star and his agent are willing to go to make that happen has become a point of contention between Lillard and his longtime team.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday that Trail Blazers executives say that Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, “has been calling prospective trade partners and warning against trading for his client. … Goodwin is telling organizations outside of Miami that trading for Lillard is trading for an unhappy player.”
Players should expect their agent to make their demands clear to other teams, but to claim an agent is trying to poison potential trades is a serious accusation. Goodwin fired back Thursday afternoon, in an interview with the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson.
“I do what I should for my client,” Goodwin said. “Some teams I did call. Other teams have called me. It’s a respectful relationship with most teams. Truthfully, he wants to play in Miami. Period.”
News: Regarding report about message to non Heat teams, Lillard's agent, Aaron Goodwin, tells me: "I do what I should for my client. Some teams I did call. Other teams have called me. It's a respectful relationship with most teams. Truthfully, he wants to play in Miami. Period."
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 6, 2023
Wojnarowski reported Saturday that Portland GM Joe Cronin “is pursuing a star-level return package for Lillard — and that Cronin plans to look well beyond the Miami Heat to find one.”
Among the other teams reportedly inquiring about Lillard are the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, and Utah Jazz.
Lillard, a seven-time All-Star, averaged 32.2 points per game last season.
