ESPN’s Bobby Marks, a former Nets govt, mentioned the brand new rule precludes the Blazers and Lillard from agreeing for him to keep away from the group whereas Portland waits for a commerce supply that it considers to be palatable. Whereas it was unclear if both celebration was fascinated with that path, it’s now off the desk, per Marks. “If Portland and Lillard come to an settlement that we’re going to close you down, the NBA goes to step in and say we’re going to positive you and we’re going to positive you considerably,” Marks mentioned. “We’re going to see the way it performs out with Damian Lillard and James Harden [who has requested a trade from Philadelphia]. The times of shutting down a participant that perhaps is concerned in commerce talks is now not going to occur any extra.” -via Miami Herald / September 14, 2023
