The Toronto Raptors are trying to muscle in on the Miami Heat’s turf and become the top team in the Damian Lillard chase. Reports from names like Marc Stein and Marc Spears show that Toronto’s interest in Lillard is genuine. Can they actually manage to get this deal done?
The biggest obstacle to getting a deal done might be gauging Lillard’s interest in playing with the Raptors. Some rumors percolating out there, possibly leaked by Lillard’s camp, make it sound like Lillard is going to pitch a fit if he’s traded anywhere except Miami.
While the Heat are banking on a possible Lillard tantrum turning teams away, the Raptors could be undeterred. If the Blazers themselves, who hold all the cards, are prioritizing getting the best value in exchange for their best asset, the Raptors are clearly the spot for Lillard.
The Raptors have more to give than Miami does, and they seem to be less stubborn when it comes to getting a deal done. Even if Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam are not going to Portland in any Lillard deal, trading with Masai Ujiri still makes more sense for the Blazers.
3 reasons the Toronto Raptors are the best trade partner for Damian Lillard.
3. More draft picks
The Raptors have been willing to trade away many of their best draft picks over the years, but they still have more than enough to entice Portland into giving up Lillard. The Heat tried to build a winner in the past, and that pursuit has left them without the ammo needed for Lillard.
Miami has not only traded multiple first-round picks in the last half-decade to maximize the talent available on the roster, but they have just one second-round pick at their disposal until 2031 comes around. If picks are the goal, there is simply no contest here.
The Toronto Raptors can trade draft picks for Damian Lillard.
While the Blazers might not be too keen on acquiring Tyler Herro due to their collection of young guards, they also won’t like the idea of trading the best player in franchise history to a team that simply can’t offer them lots of assets that can benefit them in the long run.
Ujiri had multiple opportunities to make a win-now move and mortgage some of these picks to acquire a star, but he chose to hoard those assets. That philosophy could help them in the Lillard sweepstakes, as they can part with multiple picks and not be completely tapped out.
2. Young assets
The Raptors have reportedly been willing to include first-round pick Gradey Dick in Lillard talks. This could be a big bargaining chip in Toronto’s favor, as he is a much better prospect than Miami’s Jaime Jaquez (who may not even be in Riley’s initial package).
Acquiring Dick would essentially be like picking up an extra first-round pick in a Lillard deal, and his shooting will make him a very high-floor player that Portland could covet. Christian Koloko has promise, and Precious Achiuwa can’t be ruled out as a potential sweetener in this deal.
The Toronto Raptors’ assets may entice the Blazers in Damian Lillard talks.
If Portland is genuinely not interested in Herro, the Heat’s trading has left them without young assets to move outside of Nikola Jovic. Jaquez could be on the move, but a soon-to-be 23-year-old rookie picked No. 18 overall likely pales in comparison to Dick.
If the Blazers liked the players Miami was offering, a deal would have been done months ago. They are clearly shopping around for a better deal, and Toronto is one of the few motivated trade partners who have the assets needed to get Joe Cronin and the Portland front office interested.
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.