Damian Lillard Trade Buzz: Raptors Emerge as Top Contenders for All-Star Point Guard, Reports Suggest

While Damian Lillard’s preference seemed to lean towards the Miami Heat, another franchise has surged ahead in the race for trade discussions with the Portland Trail Blazers. Recent developments indicate that the Toronto Raptors have convinced the league of their sincere pursuit of Lillard. As per insights from Marc Stein, ESPN’s Marc Spears even labeled the Raptors as the “hottest name” in the Lillard trade scenario. It’s anticipated that a deal could materialize before Portland’s media day on October 2nd, and Lillard, despite his Heat aspirations, is poised to join the Raptors.

Lillard originally expressed his desire for a trade back in July, and his agent, Aaron Goodwin, was explicit about his yearning to play in Miami. However, the Raptors have a track record of acquiring superstar talent with intentions of going elsewhere. They famously acquired Kawhi Leonard in the 2018 offseason, even though Leonard’s primary goal was to land in Los Angeles. Eventually, Leonard did join the Clippers in the 2019 offseason, but not before securing an NBA championship for Toronto.

It’s worth noting that Lillard’s situation differs significantly from Leonard’s. Leonard was on an expiring contract, whereas Lillard still has three guaranteed seasons remaining on his deal. This gives Toronto a relatively more extended timeframe to build a competitive team around him. Nevertheless, Lillard, at the age of 33, puts substantial pressure on the Raptors to assemble a competitive squad promptly.

The specifics of what Toronto might offer in a Lillard deal remain unclear. However, there are two probable centerpieces under consideration. Scottie Barnes could be a preferred choice for Portland, offering a long-term forward to complement young guards Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe. Notably, the Raptors were reportedly reluctant to part with Barnes in a deal for Kevin Durant last offseason, suggesting they might be hesitant to trade him for Lillard. Even if they were open to such a trade, the financial implications of matching salaries with Lillard, given his lucrative contract, could complicate matters.

The alternative option is OG Anunoby, a more established forward looking for increased opportunities as a ball-handler. Portland could potentially offer him those opportunities, with his defensive skills and shooting prowess pairing well with Henderson and Sharpe. Anunoby’s contract is set to expire, so the Trail Blazers would need confidence in their ability to re-sign him. Elite wings like Anunoby are rarely available in trade discussions.

While no deal is currently imminent, the Blazers’ media day is just around the corner. If Portland is genuinely intent on moving Lillard before the commencement of training camp, the window to strike a deal is narrowing. Toronto may be in the lead presently, but there’s still time for other teams to enter the race and secure the services of the star point guard.