Trade Report: Raptors Considered Among Most Viable Landing Spots For Damian Lillard

The Toronto Raptors are believed to be among the NBA's most viable landing spots for Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard

All Raptors Staff | Sep 23, 2023

Trade Report: Raptors Considered Among Most Viable Landing Spots For Damian Lillard /

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Maybe the Toronto Raptors do have a shot at Damian Lillard.

Despite rumors that Lillard is not interested in coming to Toronto, the Raptors are reportedly viewed as one of the NBA’s most viable contenders to land the Portland Trail Blazers superstar if he’s not dealt to Miami, per Yahoo’s Jake Fischer.

It’s unclear exactly what it would take for Toronto to land the 33-year-old point guard who remains under contract through 2025-26. The Raptors are said to be unwilling to move Scottie Barnes in a deal for Lillard, Fischer wrote. Pascal Siakam is also unlikely to be dealt. That leaves O.G. Anunoby as the most likely trade candidate as the 26-year-old heads into the final year of his contract.

Anunoby solidified himself as one of the NBA’s premiere 3-and-D players, shooting 38.7% from behind the arc while earning second-team All-Defense honors for the first time in his career. That said, Anunoby has reportedly been searching for a bigger offensive role as he heads toward free agency, per Fischer.

In order to acquire Lillard, Toronto would have to send out roughly $38 million in matching salary. Anunoby’s $18.6 million contract leaves the Raptors roughly $19.5 million short. Some combination of Chris Boucher, Thad Young, Otto Porter Jr., and potentially first-round Gradey Dick could meet the financial requirements.

In terms of draft equity, Toronto is without its 2024 first-round pick and cannot trade a first-round pick outright until 2028. That leaves only the 2028 and 2030 first-round picks eligible to be traded without pick-swapping.

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