4 reasons Raptors could contend for a championship with Damian Lillard

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 28: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers shakes hands with the bench during the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors at the Moda Center on January 28, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. The Toronto Raptors won 123-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

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TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 08: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles up the ball against O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

3. Clutch performances

The idea that Toronto is a team of champions is starting to gradually fade away. If Anunoby ends up in the trade package, only Siakam and Chris Boucher will be left over from the 2019 title-winning team. Getting someone who has put up as many high-end playoff performances as Lillard would be a godsend.

Lillard has averaged 25.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game in 61 postseason games with Portland. With CJ McCollum standing out as the best running mate he ever had in the postseason, pairing him with Siakam could let Lillard operate at even better efficiency.

Damian Lillard will come through in the clutch for the Toronto Raptors.

Lillard has earned a reputation as one of the best clutch shooters in the game, as “Dame Time” has wriggled its way into the NBA lexicon as a signifier of Lillard’s willingness to take big shots and unparalleled success when it comes to making those triples.

Fred VanVleet did many good things for the Raptors, but his poor play in the clutch and odd shot selection in those situations contributed to multiple Raptors losses last season. Toronto could have escaped the play-in if Lillard had been in VanVleet’s role during the last campaign.

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