Mark J. Spears | ESPNReading: 4 min.
The Raptors have the lead in getting Lillard
Mark J has the latest on the future of the Blazers star, who is looking for a change. Spears says.
Toronto is the favorite in the race to land the services of Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard.
Although the Raptors have had recent conversations with the Blazers about Lillard, no deal was close as of Monday morning, the source said.
July 1, ESPN Lillard reportedly requested a trade and his first choice was the Miami Heat. In the nearly three months since that request was made public, there have been no substantive talks between the two teams, sources said.
The Heat initially offered a trade package that included Tyler Herro and two first-round picks, a source said.
The Raptors’ offer could include a package with players from a roster that includes two-time NBA All-Star Pascal Siakam, 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year Scotty Barnes, contract extension-eligible OG Anunoby and rookie Grady Dick. A source said the Blazers are interested in adding the 7-foot-3 shooting guard to Dick.
Both NBA executives said media day for most teams, including the Blazers, Heat and Raptors, is Oct. They said they expect Lillard to be traded before 2 p.m. Practices will start the next day.
Along with Toronto and Miami, the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls have shown interest since Lillard’s initial trade request. Regardless of whether Lillard is traded or at media day in Portland, a source said he is not expected to attend media day or training camp.
Raptors president and vice president Masai Ujiri showed with his previous acquisition, Kawhi Leonard, that he isn’t afraid to trade for the reluctant NBA star to play in Toronto. Ujiri acquired Leonard in a 2018 trade with the San Antonio Spurs, and Leonard led the Raptors to their only NBA title and earned Finals MVP honors in 2019. Unlike Leonard, who left Toronto for his hometown with the LA Clippers in 2019, Lillard has three years left on his contract.
Lillard was attracted to the Heat because the reigning Eastern Conference champions have title potential and have two stars in Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo with whom he wants to team up, sources said. In addition, the work ethic and discipline that comes with the famous ‘heat culture’, Florida’s lack of state taxes and high marketability are of interest to Lillard.
The 33-year-old guard has spent his entire career in Portland since being selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2012 draft. Lillard, a seven-time All-Star, was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
