Damian Lillard received a no-trade clause in his contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, but why did Portland insert it?
Damian Lillard returned to the Portland Trail Blazers after two years with the Milwaukee Bucks.
In his three-year contract, Trailblazers inserted a no-trade clause, bringing much needed stability to Lillard at the twilight of his career.
Why did the Blazers do this?
The no-trade clause ensures that he won’t be forced to move places again unless it’s on his own terms, providing stability.
Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report speculates that general manager Joe Cronin might have also viewed the clause as a way to repair the trust that was fractured in 2023, when Portland traded Lillard to Milwaukee despite his preference to join the Miami Heat.
Lillard agreed to less money than he could have earned.
Under this contract, the player will make $14.1 million this season on a mid-level exception contract, drop to $13.4 million in the second year, and return to $14.1 million in 2027/28.
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