Stephen A. Smith criticized the way the Portland Trail Blazers front office is handling Damian Lillard’s trade request, asserting that Lillard deserves a respectable departure from the team.
Smith pointed out that the Blazers have had sufficient time to work out a trade but have failed to seriously consider offers from Lillard’s preferred destination, the Miami Heat.
Despite this, Blazers GM Joe Cronin has stated that he is willing to wait several months before making a decision.
Smith expressed concerns about the mishandling of the situation by the Blazers’ front office and also took issue with the negative reaction Lillard has received for requesting the trade.
“‘I’m [Damian Lilard] trying to win a championship'”, Smith said. “‘I want to be in Miami with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo in a culture led by Pat Riley with one of the greatest coaches ever in Erik Spoelstra.’ That’s a problem? … You’ve had ample time if you’re the Portland Trail Blazers,”
Watch Stephen A. Smith go in on the Blazers below:
He highlighted Lillard’s desire to compete for a championship with the Miami Heat alongside players like Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, led by a powerhouse culture created by Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra, and questioned why this aspiration is being seen as a problem.
Smith emphasized that the Blazers have had plenty of time to address the issue at hand.
For all the latest breaking in sports entertainment news, be sure to follow TMSPN.com on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.