LeBron James and Damian Lillard -- that's the current list of NBA players with a no-trade clause.
James is arguably the best player of all time and is set to make $52.6 million, so while his no-trade clause is rare, it still makes sense. Lillard's situation is more interesting as he agreed to a three-year, $42 million deal. Typically, we associate a no-trade clause with max contracts and superstar players. While Lillard previously had that designation, it remains to be seen whether he'll return to that level as a player when he returns from injury.
Blazers gave Damian Lillard control to stay close to family
But Lillard is also 35 years old and nearing the end of his career. According to Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report, Lillard's desire to be with his family motivated the Blazers to give him control of his future.
"Lillard has been very open about the personal reasons for wanting to come back to Portland and his desire to be close to his kids as he finishes out his career. Getting a no-trade clause ensures that he will never play a game for another team unless it's fully his choice," Highkin wrote.
Highkin also notes two other likely explanations that could've played a role in this unique situation. It could've been something that general manager Joe Cronin needed to do to make amends with Lillard after sending him to the Milwaukee Bucks when Lillard's top choice was the Miami Heat -- a decision that has been playing out beautifully for the Blazers as the Bucks continue to unravel, increasing the value of the picks included in that trade.
It also could've been a sweetener to get Lillard on such a team-friendly deal. Highkin notes that Lillard took roughly a $2.8 million pay cut over the next three years. With Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday on the payroll, the Blazers will need all the savings they can get to keep their young core around under the new CBA. Lillard is adamant that returning to Portland was both a basketball and family decision, so he may have been open to leaving money on the table so the Blazers can continue upgrading the roster around him.
We must also remember that the Bucks waived and stretched Lillard, electing to pay him the remaining $103 million of his contract over the next five years. Even with that slight pay cut, Lillard is the NBA's highest-paid player this season at $70 million when you combine his deals with Portland and Milwaukee.
Achilles injuries are brutal, especially this late in someone's career. But the silver lining is that Lillard has put himself in a situation where he's rehabbing close to family, and joining a young Blazers team that doesn't need to rush him back. With a no-trade clause and a player option for the 2027-28 season, the power is in Lillard's hands to control his destiny. That's a rare situation in today's NBA where even players like Luka Doncic can get traded.
Good for Lillard to make the most out of an unfortunate situation.