Quote from: harizen on Today at 10:49:51 PM

Quote from: Distinctin on Today at 12:58:32 PM

In this situation, the management is at a disadvantage because if they oblige Lillard to play and he does play, they will have to pay him his salary. However, the question remains: will Lillard still perform at the same level as he did before he demanded to be traded?

In the first place, who's the one to blame at the start? It's not new that Lillard always hoped that the team would try to improve every next season and he's vocal about that every time especially when the Blazers are being eliminated in the playoffs. The Blazers failed to surround Lillard a good role player and in fact, they aren't even making some effort to land a big fish either on trade or in the free agency.

100% true.
It's the Trail Blazers management that should be blamed here in the first place. Damian got old without even having a good team. When I say team, someone he could trust if he cannot score the ball. CJ McCollum was there, but who's next? It became easier for other teams to defend the Trail Blazers and there's just one defensive play, stop Damian Lillard. Now that he is asking for a trade, I think they should make something happen because that guy will not play like he has a goal anymore if he is just being forced to play for them.

Quote from: harizen on Today at 10:49:51 PM

Quote from: Distinctin on Today at 12:58:32 PM

If not, then the Trail Blazers will risk losing fans, viewership, and revenue. That's the bigger picture I see if they continue to force Lillard to play.

Generally, the home crowd is not just watching the home team literally why they paid for their tickets. If the home team is up against a top team with popular NBA players on board, expect that these people will pay for a ticket. However, expect that most games of the home team will have noticeably less audience if their record is at worst.

Yeah. I'd agree with that. That's why their management should come up with something to release him or make another move. Maybe he will still change his mind if they recruit one more good player to back him up. But the big question is who? I don't think there's anyone available out there anymore. It's too late. I don't think they will take James Harden too. Damn, their team will be filled with guards and less big men.