The Toronto Raptors went from an average team with some interesting players to a squad that has the potential to singlehandedly turn the NBA upside down. They could pull off a trade for Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard and send the rest of the basketball world into a frenzy.
The Raptors have reportedly leapfrogged the Miami Heat in the race for Lillard, as Toronto’s combination of assets seems to be much more appealing for Portland than the limited collection of names Pat Riley is dangling. The impact Lillard would have on this team is titanic.
Lillard averaged over 32 points per game last season while still being efficient and clutch. The age (33) is a concern, but his style of play should age gracefully on a Raptors team that is pivoting to an offensive-minded style of play under new head coach Darko Rajakovic.
Toronto would instantly become a contender, especially if Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam stick around. Even in a conference that features names like Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Raptors could have enough magic under their belt to pull off a run to Dame’s first NBA Finals.
4 reasons the Toronto Raptors can contend with Damian Lillard.
4. Improved shooting
Even a fundamental analysis of what went wrong for the Raptors last year shows that Toronto simply couldn’t get it done beyond the 3-point line. Toronto graded out as one of the worst teams in the league from deep, while names like Barnes failed to take steps forward.
The Raptors recognized the problems on this roster, drafting Gradey Dick No. 13 overall and refusing to give up on an experienced shooter in Otto Porter Jr. Adding Lillard to this roster would be such a massive addition that the Raptors could become a top-half shooting team due to his threat alone.
Damian Lillard gives the Toronto Raptors a terrific shooter.
Lillard has made 37% of his 3-pointers with the highest non-Steph Curry volume in the league during the course of his career. Lillard taking the shots that VanVleet sucked up last season would give Toronto a much more potent offense that isn’t as prone to stagnation.
When Lillard gets hot from 3-point range, there aren’t that many players in league history who can hold a candle to him. Imagine that first trademark Lillard scoring barrage in Raptors colors. Scotiabank Arena’s roof might get blown off from pure noise.
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.
2. Half-court excellence
The Raptors’ half-court offense under Nick Nurse went from one of the most effective units in the league to something so eye-bleedingly bad to watch that it was painful at times. The combination of a lack of shooting, poor creation, and a glacial pace ruined Toronto’s playoff odds.
Any team that has Lillard on the squad is going to play an exciting brand of basketball that features an up-tempo pace, tons of 3-point shots, and more razzle-dazzle than the feckless, stagnant showings Nurse put on last year. If Rajakovic lets him cook, Lillard could dominate in his new digs.
Damian Lillard will change the Toronto Raptors’ offense.
While Siakam can be trusted to make something out of nothing with the ball in his hands, even he must acknowledge that Lillard is several tiers above him in that area. Lillard can still get to the basket, make shots with defenders in his face, and set up his teammates.
Lillard will attract most of the defensive attention, leaving Siakam in more advantageous situations and names like Gary Trent Jr. wide open on the perimeter. The bench would suffer as a result of this trade, as would their collection of picks, but Toronto could pick for 10 years and never draft a player as good as Dame.
1. Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam
The latest rumors have confirmed that Barnes and Siakam, the former of whom is a prized young asset and the latter of whom is an impending free agent, are not going to be involved in the Lillard trade sweepstakes. This will keep a potential championship core intact.
Siakam would become one of the best No. 2 scoring options in the league, as he has an All-NBA and All-Star nomination to his name in the last two seasons. Rather than having to overcome a failing offensive system, Siakam can operate as the Robin to Lillard’s Batman.
Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam will dominate with the Toronto Raptors.
While Barnes wouldn’t become the primary option that many expected he would be this season, he could get the chance to work on his offensive game as a tertiary place once more. He won’t get defensive attention, and Lillard is a skilled enough passer to get him the rock.
If Siakam signs an extension and Lillard decides to warm up to Toronto, the three-headed hydra of the heliocentric star guard in Dame, Pascal in the low block, and Barnes growing into a star gives Toronto a sustainable winner for years to come.