NBA NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Lillard’s desire for Heat deal, ‘I’m watching’
MIAMI – With the NBA already having threatened fines and other potential action if Damian Lillard refused to report unless he was traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Miami Heat, Commissioner Adam Silver further stressed the league’s stance after Wednesday’s Board of Governors meeting in New York.
Amid an offseason that has seen Lillard with a singular goal of being dealt to the Heat and also has had Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden publicly stating he no longer would play for 76ers President Daryl Morey, Silver dealt with a question regarding both situations.
“In terms of trade demands, of course, don’t like them,” Silver said. “As a league, want players and teams to honor their contracts. And I’m watching both the situation in Portland and Philadelphia, and hope they get worked out to the satisfaction of everyone before the season starts. And I’m glad that things seem to have settled down somewhat, at least in terms of public discourse.”
In the wake of public messaging earlier this summer from Lillard’s camp regarding his desire for specific relocation to the Heat amid the Trail Blazers’ rebuilding process, the NBA issued a statement that read, “We have advised [agent Aaron] Goodwin and Lillard that any future comments, made privately to teams or publicly, suggesting Lillard will not fully perform the services called for under his player contract in the event of a trade will subject Lillard to discipline by the NBA. We also have advised the Players Association that any similar comments by players or their agents will be subject to discipline going forward.”
In the wake of that statement, the NBA last month fined Harden $100,000 for his statement about Morey.
