Raptors’ Interest In Damian Lillard Is Real But ‘Overstated’

The Toronto Raptors’ interest in Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard is real. However, according to NBA insider Josh Lewenberg of TSN, rumors about the Raptors getting Lillard are “overstated.”

“As multiple sources confirmed to TSN, the Raptors’ interest in Portland’s all-star guard is real, albeit ‘a bit overstated at this point.’ The Trail Blazers have been operating with minimal leverage since Lillard and his representatives went public with their trade demand and list of preferred destinations, which is limited to one team: Miami,” Lewenberg wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “With the start of training camp fast approaching, this sudden uptick of teams reportedly registering interest could simply be the result of Portland feeling the heat – no pun intended – and trying to take some of that leverage back, as one source suggested.”

Lillard doesn’t want to play for the Raptors, multiple sources told NBA Analysis Network. The future Hall of Famer only wants to get traded to the Miami Heat. However, Lillard can’t control where he gets traded to since he doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.

One of the best players in NBA history, Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists last season in 58 games while shooting 46.3% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 91.4% from the free-throw line. The Blazers would like to trade Lillard before the start of training camp, sources told NBA Analysis Network.

In 2018, the Raptors acquired Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs despite Leonard making it known behind the scenes he wanted the Spurs to trade him to the Los Angeles Lakers or Los Angeles Clippers. Masai Ujiri took a huge risk trading for a player who didn’t want to play in Toronto.

The gamble paid off, as Leonard guided the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship over the Golden State Warriors in six games. It will be fascinating to see if Ujiri recreates his Leonard magic with Lillard.