The split between Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers has reached the “chess calculations” stage as Lillard seeks to arrange a trade to the Miami Heat while Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin insists on exploring other offers. The conflicting goals and machinations of the two sides were revealed by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnaroswki in an in-depth article on the ongoing Lillard saga [subscription required]. Wojnarowski went through the usual list of trading opportunities, but the most interesting material concerned the principals themselves.
Citing league sources, Wojnarowski says that Cronin and the Blazers intend to honor Lillard’s trade request but are committed to accepting and soliciting bids for the best offer available:
The owner plans to accommodate Lillard’s request for a swap, but Blazers officials tell teams they will only trade Lillard for the greatest possible return on available assets. Portland is chasing the gliding superstar package of coveted draft picks and high-profile young players. For the summer, Cronin is betting on Miami rather than the market.
As he completes the exit of the greatest player in franchise history, executives who speak to Cronin describe him as callous. Shop for Lillard, shop for the Blazers.
As the rarest commodity in sports, star players exert significant influence. Lillard definitely qualifies. Wojnarowski underscores the point guard’s particular fondness for the Heat, and details some of the tactics Lillard and his proxies use to ensure they get their way:
As Cronin explores the broader landscape, Lillard’s agent Aaron Goodwin has called potential trading partners and warned against trading for his client, team managers told ESPN. Goodwin tells organizations outside of Miami that trading with Lillard is trading with a dissatisfied player. Meddling is a time-tested agent maneuver to suppress offers and clear a path to a pre-determined goal.
Given the circumstances, these developments are not unexpected. They deviate in some ways from the cheerful tone Lillard and the Blazers have expressed about their relationship so far. Consensual divorces are still divorces. We’ll see how this goes.