The Toronto Raptors kept Scottie Barnes “off limits” in trade talks for Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard, according to NBA insider Zach Lowe of ESPN. The Raptors tried to acquire Durant last season and Lillard this offseason.
After requesting a trade from the Brooklyn Nets, Durant was traded to the Phoenix Suns. Meanwhile, Lillard was traded by the Portland Trail Blazers to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Barnes appeared in 77 games for the Raptors last season. He averaged 15.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting 45.6% from the field, 28.1% from beyond the arc and 77.2% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Scottie Barnes, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Toronto Raptors Updates
The Raptors drafted Barnes with the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Florida State. Barnes, who won the 2021-22 Rookie of the Year Award, has career averages of 15.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists.
Durant and Lillard are two of the greatest players in NBA history. Barnes is only 22, so he has his whole career ahead of him, while Durant and Lillard are 35 and 33, respectively. Only time will tell if the Raptors made the right move by not offering Barnes for Durant or Lillard.
Toronto went 41-41 last season, missing the playoffs after losing the 9-10 play-in game at home to the Chicago Bulls. All-Star point guard Fred VanVleet left the Raptors for the Houston Rockets in free agency this offseason and Nick Nurse was fired as head coach and replaced by Darko Rajakovic.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Scottie Barnes, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, Toronto Raptors Updates
The Raptors are expected to start Dennis Schroder, OG Anunoby, Barnes, Pascal Siakam and Jakob Poeltl this season.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network.
