• The Toronto Raptors could be the ones to end up with Damian Lillard this offseason
• The Raptors are reportedly very interested in getting a Lillard deal done
• This blockbuster trade sees them move on from future cornerstone Scottie Barnes to win-now
The Toronto Raptors have reportedly taken the lead in the Damian Lillard trade conversations as the Portland Trail Blazers look to shed their franchise points leader before the start of training camp. While Lillard has remained insistent on the Heat being the only team he wants to play for, the Raptors have joined the conversation and believe they can provide Lillard with a situation where he wants to stay and compete.
The sticking point in a possible Lillard deal is the inclusion of 2022 Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes. Barnes had a rough sophomore season in the NBA but is still highly coveted by the Raptors and considered untouchable in trade packages. If Toronto are willing to include him, they have a pretty simple trade proposition to put together.
Trade Details
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Scottie Barnes, Gary Trent Jr., Chris Boucher, 2026 First-Round Pick (TOR), 2028 First-Round Pick (TOR), 2027 Second-Round Pick (TOR)
Toronto Raptors Receive: Damian Lillard
This trade gives the Blazers a star frontcourt player to pair with the explosive young guards on the team. They also get assets they can use to accelerate their rebuild, while the Raptors go all-in on extending the life of their Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby duo.
The Trail Blazers Get The Best Prospect On The Market
Out of all the teams that have been rumored to be interested in Lillard, the Raptors are the only ones with a genuine needle-moving young piece that would make the Blazers part with Dame happily. There really isn’t a rush for the Blazers to move Lillard given the long-term contract he has. Even if Lillard refuses to play, it seems the Blazers are content with tanking and eating the Lillard money until they find the right trade for him.
Scottie Barnes averaged 15.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists last season but has a lot of room to grow. He is still just 22 years old and is a very versatile forward who can do anything he’s asked to. He can develop into a two-way killer at his best and a highly sophisticated role-player on a winning team at his worst. The Blazers will have to take the slight risk of Barnes not living up to his potential, but there’s simply not a better young player they can ask for.
By reacquiring Gary Trent Jr. after trading him to the Raptors in 2021, the Blazers will likely look to move him on for additional assets. He is on an expiring contract and is the ideal 3-and-D swingman on a contending roster, averaging 17.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.6 steals last season. The Blazers could get a first-round pick back for him, especially if they wait to get to the trade deadline in February 2024.
The Raptors Return To Contending In The East
The Raptors have missed the playoffs just twice since 2013-14, proving they’ve been one of the most consistent teams in the NBA. Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to replace the talent drain from the roster since Kawhi Leonard left in free agency in 2019. With the loss of veteran guards like Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet, the Raptors need a point guard leader to reform the title-winning culture that the Raptors have.
Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists, and would answer one of Toronto’s biggest problems, which has been the offense. The Raptors have frontcourt players in spades to ensure the defense around Lillard is tight, with steals leader OG Anunoby retained in this deal and center Jakob Poeltl being unlocked to bring the winning potential the Raptors hoped to get when they traded for him last winter.
Siakam is an All-NBA caliber forward and Anunoby is arguably one of the best wing defenders in the NBA. A big three of these two with Lillard would be extremely challenging to beat for even the top East teams, especially with the rookie scoring options such as Gradey Dick getting a bigger spotlight to impact the game, or get traded for more veteran assets down the line.
A Risky Deal That Could Pay Off For Both Teams
The Raptors can’t be sure about getting a motivated Damian Lillard in a trade given the guard’s insistence on going to the Miami Heat. But if Lillard can recognize the winning opportunity that the Raptors provide for him, he can lead the franchise to great heights. Even though he will share the spotlight with Siakam and Anunoby, Lillard will unquestionably be the No. 1 option and the one they rely upon to win the games.
This deal allows Lillard to stay true to his character of not hopping to a winning team when the going gets tough. The 33-year-old could take the Raptors into a new era where they look to maximize their assets around an aging core Lillard and Siakam, who is 29 years old. Anunoby is still young at 26 years old, so this gives the Raptors some optionality as well.
The Blazers would be mighty pleased with themselves to walk out with a player of Scottie’s caliber in a trade like this. There is always an element of risk with taking excessive draft picks, but Barnes is a proven prospect. Getting to a situation where he can highlight himself instead of sharing responsibilities with players like Siakam and Anunoby could unlock the next level of his career.
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