NBA Legend Gives Honest Opinion on James Harden, Damian Lillard Trade Demands

Former Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors star Jamaal Wilkes spoke on player empowerment
NBA Legend Gives Honest Opinion on James Harden, Damian Lillard Trade Demands
NBA Legend Gives Honest Opinion on James Harden, Damian Lillard Trade Demands /

Speaking exclusively with AllClippers at the Harold and Carole Pump Foundation Gala, NBA legend Jamaal Wilkes shared his honest opinion on the player empowerment movement amidst the trade requests of James Harden and Damian Lillard this summer.

"Well, I mean, back then you might have thought about it, but you certainly wouldn't have forced the issue. Now they're forcing issue, and I don't think it's healthy for the game," Wilkes said when asked about the Harden and Lillard trade requests. "I'll be interested to see going forward if somehow, some way the league [addresses] it. It's just too big of a distraction. Teams are drastically impacted, like 'I want to be traded' and then the next week he's gone."

When asked if this shift is something he'd utilize if he played in today's NBA, Wilkes said, "In my day we always did things quietly, and I think I would still prefer to do that today. Given that everyone is making outrageous demands, I'd look like a good guy."

This seems to be the commonly held opinion of those who played before this surge in trade demands amongst NBA stars, as former players recognize the difficult position it puts the NBA in. While there are of course two sides to this conversation, especially with James Harden and his attempt to get to the LA Clippers after promises were broken by the Philadelphia 76ers, there is no question that the NBA finds themselves in a tough spot amidst these trade demands.

Related Articles

Kevin Durant Gets Honest About Russell Westbrook's Impact

Paul George Reveals Conversation With Kawhi Leonard After Devastating Injury

Massive Paul George, Damian Lillard, Knicks Trade Idea


Published
Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.