Report: Damian Lillard's Disinterest in Toronto Proved a Trade Obstacle

The Toronto Raptors were reportedly seriously interested in Damian Lillard but the Portland Trail Blazers star was not interested in playing in Toronto

Maybe all those rumors that Damian Lillard wasn’t interested in joining the Toronto Raptors actually had some merit to them.

It’s unclear if Lillard would have spurned the Raptors had Toronto managed to trade for the 33-year-old former Portland Trail Blazers superstar. That said, Lillard’s “disinterest” in playing for Toronto “remained an obstacle until the end,” according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Sam Amick.

The Raptors are said have had serious interest in Lillard who ended up being moved to the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team deal involving the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard’s preferred destination had been with the Miami Heat but conversations between Miami and Portland reportedly stalled months ago and the teams never reconvened, per ESPN.

It's unclear exactly what Toronto was willing to offer for Lillard and how far those talks progressed before Lillard made it clear he was unwilling to play for the Raptors. Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes were considered untouchable and it appears O.G. Anunoby was never part of Toronto’s offer, per Michael Grange. That likely means Toronto’s best offer involved Gary Trent Jr., likely Gradey Dick, future draft capital, and salary filler.

The Raptors had been in a similar situation in 2018 when it was apparent Kawhi Leonard was reluctant to play in Toronto. The Raptors ultimately made the deal regardless, acquiring Leonard who was on the final year of his contract at the time. Leonard did play for one season in Toronto, leading the Raptors to a championship, before ultimately leaving for Los Angeles in free agency.