Portland Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin told reporters on July 10 in Las Vegas at NBA Summer League that he’s not going to rush a Damian Lillard trade.
In fact, Cronin is willing to wait “months” to trade Lillard, who has requested a trade from the Blazers and wants to get traded to the Miami Heat.
“I think what I’ve learned more than anything is patience is critical,” Cronin said, via ESPN. “Don’t be reactive. Don’t jump at things just to seemingly solve a problem. I think the teams that have ended up in the most positive situations post-trade have been the ones that have been really diligent in taking their time and not been impulsive, or the teams that really kept their urgency under control.”
Lillard doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, so the Blazers can trade him anywhere. Cronin, who hasn’t spoken to Lillard since the seven-time All-Star requested a trade, is going to be very patient so he can get the best package in return for Lillard.
“So I think that’s how my approach has been with this and will be with this,” Cronin said. “We’re going to be patient; we’re going to do what’s best for our team. We’re going to see how this lands. And if it takes months, it takes months.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Miami Heat Updates
Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, has been reaching out to teams not named the Heat, telling them not to trade for his client. The Blazers have thus far not been impressed with the Heat’s trade offers for Lillard. Portland is pursuing the sliding-scale superstar package of desirable draft picks and high-level young players.
It’s doubtful a non-Heat team will trade for Lillard since everyone in the NBA knows the Weber State product wants to play for Miami. Goodwin has relayed to teams that Lillard would be unhappy if he’s not traded to the Heat.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Lillard was upset the Blazers didn’t trade the third overall pick in the 2023 draft for a star player. Portland drafted Scoot Henderson, who plays the same position as Lillard, with the third pick.
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