Damian Lillard wants to leave the Portland Trail Blazers and he really wants to play for the Miami Heat.
The latest report from Adrian Wojnarowski says that Lillard’s agent is warning other teams in the league to not even attempt to get his client.
If anyone but the Heat acquire Lillard, they will be earning a very unhappy player, his agent said.
Stephen A. Smith reacted to this behind-the-scenes maneuvering from Lillard’s agent on Thursday – and he sees nothing wrong with it.
“Damian Lillard has earned the right to want out. More importantly, a player of his caliber has earned the right to want to go where he wants to go,” Smith said on First Take.
“Why should he want to go someplace where he’s not going to be happy?” he added.
“Why the hell should he go some place he don’t want to go?”@stephenasmith has no problem with the report that Dame would be unhappy if traded to somewhere besides Miami 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/H01npzNecS
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 6, 2023
According to Smith and others, Lillard has earned the right to demand a specific destination in this trade.
He has stayed loyal to the Blazers for years now and has given up many years in hopes that the team would get better and actually have a strong playoff run.
But the front office was never able to make Lillard happy even as he played his heart out.
He is getting older now and doesn’t want to spend his entire career playing for a team that doesn’t have a chance at true greatness.
He sees great things in a future with the Heat and he wants that.
Lillard and his management only have so much power in these negotiations.
This move by his agent is one of the only ways he can influence the trade proceedings and get his client to Florida.
Some people might take issue with this but Smith thinks Lillard and his agent are doing things right.
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Analyst Says That Damian Lillard Leaving Portland Would Be ‘Risky’
