Report: Damian Lillard Unwilling to Report to Camp if Traded to 'Team like Toronto'

Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard is reportedly unwilling to report to training camp if he's traded to a team like the Toronto Raptors
Report: Damian Lillard Unwilling to Report to Camp if Traded to 'Team like Toronto'
Report: Damian Lillard Unwilling to Report to Camp if Traded to 'Team like Toronto' /

Damian Lillard appears to be making his attentions clear: The Miami Heat or nothing.

The 33-year-old Portland Trail Blazers superstar will not report to training camp next month if he’s traded to any team other than the Heat, Shams Charania told The Rally. Lillard will only report if he’s playing for the Trail Blazers or Heat this season, according to Charania.

It’s unclear what other teams are interested in acquiring Lillard at this point in the summer. Miami has repeatedly been mentioned as Lillard’s preferred landing spot, though a trade does not appear to be imminent.

Of note, Charania mentioned the Toronto Raptors as the lone specific example of a team Lillard would be unwilling to play for. Toronto and Portland have repeatedly been mentioned as teams engaging in trade talks over the past two seasons, but it’s not clear that Lillard has been involved in those. O.G. Anunoby and Pascal Siakam have both come up as players mentioned in talks involving Portland.

Kawhi Leonard was famously reluctant to play for Toronto following his trade to the Raptors in 2018. It was reported he was unwilling to show up for training camp after being traded. A holdout, however, never transpired as Leonard did play for Toronto, leading the team to a championship that season.

Lillard remains under contract through 2026 with a player option worth 63.2 million in 2026-27. 

Further Reading

Raptors' Dennis Schröder Named FIBA World Cup MVP

Report: Raptors Being Sued by Knicks Alleging Ex-Employee Illegally Disclosed Proprietary Information


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