Raptors reportedly enter mix for Damian Lillard trade with Heat's interest uncertain
The end of the Damian Lillard trade saga might be near.
There's an expectation among NBA general managers that the Portland Trail Blazers will trade the star point guard by media day next Monday, Oct. 2, ESPN reported Monday.
The report follows a weekend full of increased chatter about a potential Lillard trade after months of no movement. While the Miami Heat have been the favorite to land Lillard since he requested a trade in July, the Toronto Raptors "have convinced numerous teams around the league" that they're pursuing the star point guard in a trade, Marc Stein reported. However, there is "uncertainty" on just how much the Raptors are willing to give up in a trade for Lillard due to the belief he wouldn't want to be traded there, Stein added to his report.
It's unclear what the Trail Blazers are asking from the Raptors in a trade for Lillard. The Raptors have young standouts like 2022 Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes, wing O.G. Anunoby, big man Precious Achiuwa, guard Gary Trent Jr. and 2023 first-round pick Gradey Dick, plus draft picks, to possibly use in a trade.
Lillard requested a trade to the Heat on July 1, but the Trail Blazers have continually been unable to reach a deal with them. In Miami, Lillard would team up with five-time All-NBA star Jimmy Butler and two-time NBA All-Star Bam Adebayo. Since the trade request was made, Miami has lost guards Gabe Vincent and Max Strus to free agency and most, if not all of the highly productive free agents have been signed.
Despite all of the above, there's "no trade imminent" between Portland and Miami regarding Lillard, ESPN reported Friday. In fact, it's unclear if the Heat are "desperate" to acquire Lillard due to other stars possibly becoming available in the future, according to ESPN. Financially, any trade that doesn't involve Butler and Adebayo — whether it's between just the two teams or is a three-plus-team trade — would have to involve at least two of Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson on Miami's end, The Heat would also likely have to part with other assets, such as Jaime Jaquez, Caleb Martin or first-round picks.
Damian Lillard still seeking trade to Heat, would rather 'lose every year' than join Warriors
Portland has discussed a potential Lillard trade with other Eastern Conference teams, with ESPN and the Miami Herald reporting earlier in the week that the Trail Blazers want to get a deal done before training camp, which opens Oct. 3.
A seven-time NBA All-Star and seven-time All-NBA honoree, Lillard is coming off a season where he averaged a career-high 32.2 points, 7.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting 46.3/37.1/91.4 across 58 games; he missed extensive time down the stretch due to a calf injury and appeared in just 29 games the season prior due to an abdominal injury.
Lillard, 33, is entering the third season of a four-year, $176.3 million contract. The Trail Blazers went 33-49 last season, good for 13th in the Western Conference, and received the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, which they used on fellow guard Scoot Henderson.
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On the other hand, the Heat is coming off its second NBA Finals appearance in four seasons, although Miami lost to the Denver Nuggets in five games.
