In the wake of Damian Lillard’s trade request from the Portland Trail Blazers, a blockbuster trade could see the Toronto Raptors acquire the seven-time All-Star. The suggested trade between the Blazers and Raptors would involve sending Lillard to Toronto in exchange for OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr., Chris Boucher, Precious Achiuwa, and three future first-round picks in 2026, 2028, and 2030.
Although Damian Lillard has expressed his desire to be traded to the Miami Heat, the Blazers are not obligated to honor his request as he lacks a no-trade clause in his contract. This scenario mirrors the Raptors’ acquisition of Kawhi Leonard in 2018, despite Leonard’s preference to join either the Los Angeles Lakers or Clippers. The risky move paid off for Toronto as Leonard led them to their first NBA championship in 2019.
While there is no guarantee that Damian Lillard would be pleased with a potential trade to the Raptors, the team’s President, Masai Ujiri, has a history of making bold moves that have paid dividends. Recreating the magic of the Leonard acquisition with Lillard, who averaged an impressive 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists last season for the Blazers, could be a game-changer for the Raptors.
Some people around the league believe Portland is trying to save their relationship with Damian Lillard
“They’re not even convinced that Portland wants to trade Damian Lillard at this point. It almost feels like they’re trying to find a way to maybe change his mind or delay… pic.twitter.com/627E5yHyra
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 26, 2023
Damian Lillard’s hopes of going to the Miami Heat are diminishing
Damian Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, has been advising non-Heat teams against trading for his client. However, the Blazers have reportedly not been satisfied with the Heat’s trade package, hinting that a third NBA team might need to be involved to facilitate Lillard’s potential move to Miami.
Should the Raptors manage to secure Lillard’s services, it would undoubtedly create a stir in the NBA community. All eyes would be on how the star point guard adapts to his new team in Toronto, given his preference for Miami. Nevertheless, Lillard’s talent and leadership would be a significant addition to any team, and the Raptors would undoubtedly benefit from his scoring and playmaking abilities.
As of now, the proposed trade remains speculative, but it highlights the potential for major moves in the NBA trade market. With a player of Lillard’s caliber potentially on the move, the league’s landscape could undergo a significant shift, setting the stage for an intriguing and eventful offseason. Fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring the developments surrounding Lillard’s trade situation, eagerly awaiting confirmation or dismissal of these trade rumors.
