Damian Lillard (#0) of the Portland Trail Blazers tries to beat the defense of Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors in the game at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, January 28, 2023. /CFP
The Toronto Raptors are currently the front-runners in the competition for the seven-time NBA All-Star point guard Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, two high-ranking NBA executives told ESPN.
It has been over two months since Lillard requested a trade from Portland, which drafted him with the sixth pick in 2012 and witnessed every part of his 11-season-long NBA career. He wanted to go to the Miami Heat, but the Trail Blazers are not satisfied with the assets the Heat have offered so far. In fact, according to ESPN, the two teams have never had any substantial trade conversations.
Compared with the Heat's package that included Tyler Herro and two future first-round draft picks, the Raptors are capable of making a more attractive bid to which they can add two-time NBA All-Star Pascal Siakam, 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes, elite 3D player O.G. Anunoby and the 13th selection in this year's NBA draft Gradey Dick.
Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors dribbles in the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, April 7, 2023. /CFP
According to ESPN, there are other teams interested in trading for Lillard as well, including the Milwaukee Bucks, the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Chicago Bulls. In CGTN's previous analysis of the matter, we reached the conclusion that Lillard wants to leave the Trail Blazers for a team where he can win a title. That means he won't go to a tanking franchise or a team that is too far away from joining the top race.
The Raptors, under president and vice chairman Masai Ujiri, have the experience of acquiring a superstar player and then winning the NBA championship with the arrival of Kawhi Leonard in summer 2018. However, the team is unlikely to copy this success because the Raptors in 2018 had a well-refined system. Leonard came as a big upgrade of DeMar DeRozan and worked immediately.
OG Anunoby (#3) of the Toronto Raptors dunks in the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, April 4, 2023. /CFP
By contrast, the Raptors today don't have a clear plan for franchise building. Both Siakam and Anunoby were involved in trade rumors during most time of the 2022-23 season. The team hasn't figured out what role Barnes should play on the roster. Trading for Lillard will definitely cost the Raptors. After that, what assets do they have left to assemble a competitive squad?
The two NBA executives that talked to ESPN expect Lillard to be traded before media day that usually falls on October 2 for most teams.