The Toronto Raptors have convinced teams that their interest in trading for Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard is genuine, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. However, it’s believed Lillard is resistant to the idea of becoming a Raptor.
“The Toronto Raptors have convinced numerous teams around the league that their interest in trading for Lillard is genuine,” Stein wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “The uncertainty at this point stems more from gauging Toronto’s true willingness to push all the way forward with its Lillard pursuit when it’s believed that the All-Star guard, behind the scenes, remains so resistant to the idea of becoming a Raptor.”
Lillard wants the Blazers to trade him to the Miami Heat, but Portland doesn’t have to trade Lillard to Miami since the superstar doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors Updates
Back in the summer of 2018, the Raptors acquired Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs despite Leonard making it known behind the scenes he wanted the Spurs to trade him to the Los Angeles Lakers or Los Angeles Clippers. Masai Ujiri took a huge risk trading for a player with one year left on his contract.
The gamble paid off, as Leonard guided the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship over the Golden State Warriors in six games. Even though Leonard left for the Clippers in the summer of 2019, the 2019 title lives on forever. Maybe Ujiri can recreate his Leonard magic with Lillard, who averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists last season for the Blazers. However, Lillard is under contract for several more years, while Leonard was on an expiring deal.
Lillard still wants the Blazers to trade him to the Heat despite the NBA’s initiative to warn Lillard and his agent that any further comments made “suggesting Lillard will not fully perform the services called for under his player contract in the event of a trade” will be subject to discipline, according to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors Updates
If the Raptors find a way to acquire Lillard, everyone in the NBA will pay attention to how Dame acts and plays in Toronto. Lillard signed a two-year, $121.7 million extension with the Blazers in July 2022. He’ll make $45.6 million next season.
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