Report: NBA Executives Believe Raptors are 'Frontrunners' to Land Damian Lillard

The Toronto Raptors are considered to be one of the frontrunners to land Damian Lillard in a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers

All Raptors Staff | Sep 25, 2023

Report: NBA Executives Believe Raptors are 'Frontrunners' to Land Damian Lillard /

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Toronto Raptors

Damian Lillard may actually be coming to Toronto.

At least two NBA executives reportedly view the Toronto Raptors are the “frontrunners” to land the Portland Trail Blazers superstar, according to ESPN’s Marc Spears. Those same executives reportedly said they wouldn’t be surprised if Lillard did end up in Toronto, Spears added.

Lillard is reportedly reluctant to join the Raptors, but it is not believed he would actually hold out on the team, Spears said. The 33-year-old has made it clear his preferred destination is Miami, but the Heat have so far not been willing to pay Portland’s asking price.

Both Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam are reportedly considered off-the-table, according to Yahoo’s Jake Fischer. That leaves O.G. Anunoby as the most likely candidate to be traded as he enters what is likely the final year of his contract.

Unlike when Toronto traded for Kawhi Leonard, Lillard has three years left on his contract with a player option for 2026-27. He’s set to earn $45.6 million this year, $48.7 million next year, before his contract jumps to an estimated $58.5 million in 2025-26 during his age-35 season.

In addition to Anunoby, Toronto would likely have to deal either Gary Trent Jr., or Chris Boucher, along with additional salary in order to facilitate a trade. Thad Young and Otto Porter Jr. could be added as matching salaries.

In terms of draft pick compensation, the Raptors can only trade their 2028 and 2030 first-round picks outright due to the Jakob Poeltl deal. The team could work out an arrangement with the San Antonio Spurs to unprotect their 2024 first-round pick and therefore free up the ability to trade the 2026 first-round pick.

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