Before Damian Lillard's Trade Request, There Was Charles Barkley In 1992

Many felt Hall of Famer Charles Barkley forced his way out of Philadelphia so he could join Phoenix Suns

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has dominated the headlines this NBA offseason because of his trade request to the Miami Heat. 

It is somewhat conjuring memories of when Hall of Famer Charles Barkley did something similar the summer of 1992. Many felt Barkley, then finishing up his eighth season with the Philadelphia 76ers, was traded to the Phoenix Suns. 

The notion was Barkley grew fed up with the Sixers' inability to compete for a championship. They never made it past the second round with him as their best player. 

In 2021, Barkley shot down the idea of him forcing his way out of Philly. 

“I enjoyed my time there, but after two years of rumors, I’d just had enough," Barkley told the Philadelphia Inquirer. I gave everything I had in Philly. I never wanted to leave Philly. But if anyone told you I demanded to be traded that’s a 100 percent lie.”

Barkley never won a title, losing to the Chicago Bulls in the 1993 NBA Finals. He was later traded to a Houston Rockets team that featured Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler but they never made a return to the Finals. 

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