The Damian Lillard sweepstakes continue to drag on as the 2023-24 NBA season is less than a month away.
According to Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Toronto Raptors have emerged as a possible destination for Damian Lillard.
However, Damian Lillard reportedly “would make it ugly” if he gets traded to Toronto, according to Five on the Floor’s Ethan Skolnick.
Skolnick said on a recent podcast that a reporter who is close with Lillard’s agent said that Toronto is a place Lillard wouldn’t want to be traded to:
“Toronto is a place that Dame would make it ugly. “He didn’t mention Chicago. He didn’t mention any other teams. He mentioned Toronto as a place that Dame would make it ugly. And I know for a fact, 100 percent, that this particular reporter has a great relationship with Dame’s agent and has for a very long time.”
Barry Jackson reported that the seven-time All-Star would request a trade, if he’s traded to anywhere but Miami.
Speculation began about a team other than Miami trading for Damian Lillard last week. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said that the Blazers had trade talks involving Lillard with other teams and not the Heat.
However, Woj did say trade talks can change in “one moment ,with one call.”
Raptors in the Damian Lillard sweepstakes
The Raptors interest for Lillard seems genuine, however is this recent report is true, it’s a big risk for the Toronto to take.
Toronto lost Fred VanVleet in free agency to the Houston Rockets. The team could use a true starting point guard like Damian Lillard. However, a trade for Lillard would deplete the Raptors roster.
The Raptors went all-in and traded for a disgruntled superstar once in Kawhi Leonard but this situation is different. Toronto had a more complete roster at the time and identity. They knew they wanted to compete. The Raptors are currently in the middle and unsure about a direction they want to take.
Factor in Lillard reportedly not wanting to play for the Raptors and this doesn’t seem like a wise move for the Raptors to make.
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