Two high-ranking executives believe the Toronto Raptors are the front-runner to acquire Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers, according to NBA insider Marc J. Spears of ESPN.
Lillard has requested a trade from the Blazers and the Raptors are seriously interested in acquiring the superstar point guard.
The Raptors have convinced teams that their interest in trading for Lillard is genuine, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. However, it’s believed Lillard is resistant to the idea of becoming a Raptor.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors Updates
“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 veteran guard doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
One of the best players in NBA history, Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists last season in 58 games while shooting 46.3% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 91.4% from the free-throw line. The Blazers would like to trade Lillard before the start of training camp, sources told NBA Analysis Network.
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 who didn’t want to play in Toronto.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors Updates
The gamble paid off, as Leonard guided the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship over the Golden State Warriors in six games. It will be fascinating to see if Ujiri can recreate his Leonard magic with Lillard.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
