Trade Report: Raptors Considered Genuine Contenders to Land Damian Lillard

The Toronto Raptors are considered a genuine threat to land Damian Lillard in a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers

Author:
All Raptors Staff
Publish date:
Sep 25, 2023 9:11 AM EDT

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The Damian Lillard drumbeat is getting louder for the Toronto Raptors.

News continues to trickle out that Toronto is genuinely among the teams vying to acquire the Portland Trail Blazers superstar, per Marc Stein. The Raptors are considered one of the few teams alongside the Miami Heat that can actually acquire Lillard.

There is, however, the question of Lillard’s willingness to play in Toronto. It has been reported from various outlets that Lillard is reluctant to join the Raptors. Shams Charania reported Lillard wouldn’t show up if he was dealt to Toronto.

Toronto is not believed to be entertaining deals involving former Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes, per Jake Fischer. A deal is most likely to be consummated around O.G. Anunoby, should Toronto manage to land Lillard.

The 33-year-old point guard is owed $45.6 million this season and has a contract that runs through his player-option in 2026-27. Toronto would have to send Portland roughly $38 million in salary in order to make the financial requirements of the deal work. That means dealing at least one of Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Gary Trent Jr., or virtually all of Toronto’s tradeable depth.

The Phoenix Suns and Chicago Bulls have also been mentioned as teams potentially involved in a Lillard deal either as the primary team or as a third team involved in a trade.

Lillard’s preferred destination is in Miami alongside Jimmy Butler.