ESPN’s Bobby Marks, a former Nets executive, said the new rule precludes the Blazers and Lillard from agreeing for him to stay away from the team while Portland waits for a trade offer that it considers to be palatable. While it was unclear if either party was interested in that path, it’s now off the table, per Marks. “If Portland and Lillard come to an agreement that we’re going to shut you down, the NBA is going to step in and say we’re going to fine you and we’re going to fine you significantly,” Marks said. “We are going to see how it plays out with Damian Lillard and James Harden [who has requested a trade from Philadelphia]. The days of shutting down a player that maybe is involved in trade talks is no longer going to happen any more.” -via Miami Herald / September 14, 2023
