(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Even though Damian Lillard’s trade request to the Portland Trail Blazers happened months ago, it actually was more than a year in the making.
Some analysts speculated that the Blazers could put an end to his tenure as soon as they appointed a new GM, mostly because he had no allegiance whatsoever to him.
To explain it in simple points, this new regime didn’t owe him anything, as they weren’t the ones that signed him to that big contract.
That’s why it wasn’t much of a surprise to see that GM Joe Cronin didn’t have a lot of sympathy for Lillard after his trade request.
According to Chris Haynes, Cronin didn’t care for Lillard’s trade request, which is why he made it personal and wanted to make a statement by sending him anywhere but his preferred destination, the Miami Heat (Via Legion Hoops).
Blazers GM Joe Cronin wasn’t a fan of Dame trying to “force” his way to Miami, and basically sent the message of “we’ll send you where we want.”
I freaking love it.
(via @ChrisBHaynes) pic.twitter.com/HGv66NNIPY
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 29, 2023
The report also states that Lillard even considered rescinding his trade request and giving it another go in Rip City, but Cronin shut the door on him and told him that there was no going back.
Perhaps that’s not the best way to deal with a star that stood there for 11 years, was loyal to them, and led them to the playoffs multiple times, especially after you had already drafted his replacement.
Still, at the end of the day, Lillard is in a better position to win a ring than he would’ve been in Portland or Miami, so that petty move could backfire.
Ironically, he did him a big favor.
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