Kofi Inkoom
The current standoff between Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers is reportedly the fault of the team and their general manager, Joe Cronin.
Lillard has requested a trade, but the complication arises from his preference to join the Miami Heat, who lack the assets to acquire a player of his caliber.
An insider, Eric Brandt, points out that the Trail Blazers initially assured Lillard they would either win with him or trade him to his preferred destination, but they later changed their stance, emphasizing what’s best for the team instead.
“I have it from a really good source. They kept assuring him, saying, ‘We’re going to win around you, or we’ll take care of you.’ Damian Lillard gave the Blazers a list of multiple teams. When he went to them and said, ‘I want to be traded to one of these teams,’ Joe Cronin told him, ‘We’re going to do what’s best for us, I don’t care what you get back.’ Dame was pissed. Then he’s like, ‘Screw you, I’m only picking Miami then.'”
“Blazers kept assuring Dame we’ll take care of you. Dame gave POR a list of teams. When he went to them & said ‘I want to be traded to 1 of these teams’, Cronin told him ‘We’re gonna do what’s best for us’ & Dame was pissed. Then he’s like ‘Screw you I’m only picking Miami then’” https://t.co/OrZqY4joMp pic.twitter.com/qujTvaJlls
— Dru (@dru_star) September 15, 2023
Undoubtedly, this report paints the Portland Trail Blazers and Joe Cronin in a negative light.
While it’s reasonable to argue that Damian Lillard should honor his contract, it appears that he entered into this agreement based on promises from the franchise that weren’t fulfilled.
Lillard has upheld his end of the deal, and now it’s the franchise’s turn to fulfill their commitment by facilitating his move to a destination of his choice.
During the previous season, Damian Lillard showcased his talent, averaging 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists while shooting at a 37.1% rate from beyond the arc.
He possesses the ability to be a game-changer for any team[ Miami Likely], and the future will reveal how this situation unfolds.