The decision to rebuild isn’t an easy one for NBA teams. Nobody likes to lose. Fans lose interest, players get frustrated, and money gets lost. We may think it’s in the team’s best interests, but that doesn’t mean that it’s an easy decision for the people involved.
Take the Toronto Raptors. This team fell well short of expectations in 2022-23. Meanwhile, the Raptors have plenty of talent that teams would take an interest in. At the same time, there seems to be some hesitation to rebuild in Toronto. Fair enough, The Raptors could be justified in feeling that they’re minor tweaks away from competing for a title again.
Could the Portland Trail Blazers? That’s a different story. This team feels even further from the title picture. Meanwhile, Damian Lillard has requested a trade. Could the Blazers send him to the Toronto Raptors?
The Trade Proposal
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: F OG Anunoby, G/F Gary Trent Jr., F/C Chris Boucher, F/C Precious Achiuwa, F Gradey Dick, 2026 First-Round Pick (TOR), 2028 First-Round Pick (TOR)
Toronto Raptors Receive: G Damian Lillard
Of course, Lillard hasn’t simply requested a trade. By all accounts, he’s specifically requested a trade to the Miami Heat. It’s being reported that Lillard may not even show up to training camp if he’s traded to any other team. Right. We’ll see about that.
Lillard is a competitor. Ironically, he’s not creating a very competitive market. If Portland only has one trade partner, they can’t get market value for Lillard. With that in mind, the Blazers can opt to simply not trade him at all. If Lillard wants out of Portland badly enough, he may have to expand his list of teams that he’d be willing to join sooner rather than later.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Toronto Raptors Updates
Should he include the Raptors? That’s a different question. Lillard is looking to compete for the NBA title. So, the question is this: Can the Raptors provide him with that opportunity?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
It’s worth noting that Pascal Siakam spent a decent stretch of last season on the injury list. The Raptors may have performed better if he’d been available. Here, Siakam is critical to the deal for the Raptors. They’ve got a chi-star for Lillard in tow. Do they have another?
That depends on your assessment of Scottie Barnes. If he takes a third-year leap, the Raptors could be serious title contenders after adding Lillard. At the same time, it doublu benefits the Raptors to keep Barnes in this deal. If he’s not playing like a star by next year’s deadline, and they’ve already traded for Lillard, they could trade Barnes. He could fetch them some tremendous help. In other words, this deal should appeal to the Raptors if they’re insistent on staying in win-now mode.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Toronto Raptors Updates
Sure, the Raptors are paying a hefty price here. At the same time, if they are staying in win-now mode, they don’t need the outgoing pieces in this trade. Should the Blazers accept them?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
Lillard may have requested a trade, but it’s not all gloom and doom This team already has a head start on their rebuild. Scoot Henderson could be a superstar, and so could Shaedon Sharpe. Even Anfernee Simons is already a star producer. With that said the Blazers could use more young role players.
This deal has them landing a couple of them. Dick looks like an elite shooter – he’ll compliment the playmaking guards on this roster. Achiuwa has been a bit inconsistent on the Raptors, but he’s got the potential to be a great switch big in this league. Both of these guys can be part of the Blazers’ long-term plans.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Toronto Raptors Updates
For that matter, so could Anunoby and Trent Jr. Neither of these guys is old either. If Portland likes the idea of a soft rebuild, they could help them start winning soon. If they’re lucky, they could avoid much of the pain that comes with a rebuild.
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