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3 reasons Raptors are a better Damian Lillard trade partner than Heat

By Mike Luciano

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 08: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives to the net against O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 08: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives to the net against O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors, OG Anunoby
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 2: O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /

1. OG Anunoby

If Barnes and Siakam are not on the table (which is the correct move), the Raptors will likely have to part ways with Anunoby. Even though he is an impending free agent, the possibility of extending him could help Portland be a viable team in a wide-open Western Conference.

Anunoby is an All-Defensive player at the peak of his powers, and his 3-point shooting remains well above average. While the young backcourt works out how to win in the NBA, Anunoby and Jerami Grant can both be terrific forwards that keep both sides of the ball humming.

Toronto Raptors SF OG Anunoby could help the Trail Blazers.

The Blazers might be viewed as a rebuilding team without Lillard, but Anunoby could change the calculus instantly. Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons (with Shaedon Sharpe on the bench) make for an amazing backcourt. Anunoby and Grant would be veterans who can lead the team offensively, and Jusuf Nurkic can still hold his own at center.

Lillard is one of the few players in the NBA where it may be impossible to completely rebuild after trading him away due to the insane collection of names he can get in return. Getting Lillard for a potential free agent at the end of the year would be a terrific move for Ujiri, and extending him gives Portland a long-term chip.

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