- The Toronto Raptors are interested in Damian Lillard
- The point guard is averse to joining Toronto as of right now
- Lillard has also been linked to the Chicago Bulls
The Damian Lillard trade saga has dragged on for a while now, and the Portland Trail Blazers have resisted making any trades that don’t give them good value thus far. Though Lillard prefers to join the Miami Heat, it seems as though there is a new team that has joined the Lillard sweepstakes.
A recent report from NBA insider Marc Stein revealed that the Toronto Raptors are a team with a genuine interest in trading for Damian Lillard. However, what is complicating matters is Lillard’s resistance to joining the team.
“The Toronto Raptors have convinced numerous teams around the league that their interest in trading for Lillard is genuine.”
“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.”
There is no doubt that a disgruntled superstar can be a problem for any team in the league. They can make things ugly in the locker room, and that can tank a team’s entire season. Still, the Toronto Raptors once gambled on acquiring Kawhi Leonard who didn’t want to be there, and eventually won the 2019 championship. It is easy to see why they would take a chance on Lillard.
This past season, Damian Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game, while shooting 37.1% from the 3PT range. He could be the superstar that the Raptors have been missing since the 2019 season, and adding him would make Toronto instant contenders.
The Chicago Bulls Have Also Been Linked With A Damian Lillard Trade
Aside from the Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors, there are a few other teams that are ready to trade for Damian Lillard. In fact, the Chicago Bulls are also interested in making a Damian Lillard trade.
“The team that I’ve heard—I’ve made some calls, talked to some people—that is kind of the wild card, getting-into-the-mix team, is the Chicago Bulls… What I have heard in the last few days is that it looks like they might be trying to move LaVine as part of a multi-team deal to see if they can get into the Dame Lillard sweepstakes.”
Though the Chicago Bulls won’t offer Damian Lillard an immediate pathway to contention, he could certainly make them a respectable team in the Eastern Conference. However, at this point, Lillard’s goal will be to win a championship, so it is likely that he won’t want to play for the Bulls.
Damian Lillard’s Trade Value Is Unclear Right Now
We all know Damian Lillard is one of the best point guards in the league, and his numbers certainly suggest that he is a superstar-caliber player. However, as of right now, he is 33 years old, with his big-time contract only expiring in 2027. Lillard could end up making $63.2 million at 36 years old, and if he declines from his current superstar production, then whichever team trades for him could be stuck with a huge contract.
Ultimately, Damian Lillard is a talented player who is worth the risk for any contending team. We will see where he ends up in the future, and perhaps he can win a championship next season.
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