Damian Lillard’s potential $216,201,799 trade to the Miami Heat has divided the NBA community. Lillard has been the subject of an NBA memo prohibiting him from talking about a trade to Miami amid excitement amongst fans of another Superteam in South Beach. However, many pundits have criticized the potential move to a franchise that hardly has anything to offer. Charles Barkley is another name on the list of pundits who think the trade request is an unfair ask. The NBA veteran was on Bill Simmons’ “The Bill Simmons Podcast”, where he addressed Dame’s request to be traded out of Portland.
Advertisement
The Portland Trail Blazers superstar demanded a trade from his team at the start of the offseason. Lillard signed a two-year $121.77 million max veteran extension last year, before exercising his $48.79 million player option with Portland (POR) for 2024-25 as part of the extension. He also has two years remaining from his 2019 contract, which means Miami would take on a $216,201,799 deal for Lillard if they decide to sign him.
Charles Barkley criticizes Damian Lillard’s trade request, calls it ‘unfair’.
Speaking on Simmons’ podcast, Barkley expressed his displeasure with Lillard’s trade request, calling it “unfair”. While The Ringer’s CEO indicated his moral dilemma of the trade request, Sir Charles condemned Lillard’s actions saying that it wasn’t good for the Blazers. According to the former 76ers star, the Miami Heat don’t have any valuable assets to offer to the Blazers that could fill Lillard’s void on the roster. The Chuckster told Simmons:
“I think [Damian Lillard’s] request was unfair, only going to go Miami. Because Miami don’t have any assets…The only problem I have with Dame is he says, ‘Hey trade me, try to put me in the best situation.’ But they[Portland] can’t screw up their organization, taking pennies on the dollar.”
Barkley brought back his own example of asking for a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers. After playing eight seasons with the 76ers, he asked to be traded from the city because he thought the organization was ruining his career. However, the difference is that Chuck never asked for any preferred destination.
CJ McCollum’s trade might have prompted Lillard’s trade request
CJ McCollum and Lillard spent nine years together playing for Portland and established themselves as one of the most lethal duos in the league. However, on Feb 2022, CJ was traded to the Pelicans, leaving Dame Dolla somewhat alone on the team. For many NBA pundits like Marc J. Spears, it was perhaps the exact moment when Lillard’s trade request’s clock started ticking. The seven-time NBA All-Star player had not only lost a great teammate but also his best friend.
In an interview with Spears, Lillard said that with CJ on his side, he always felt like he had someone he could lean on. Despite the fact that both of them knew the trade was inevitable, Dame Dolla never felt at ease again after the trade. According to Spears, this was perhaps the beginning of the end of Lillard’s stint in the city.
