It’s About Dame Time

09/26/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Standoff Between Blazers & Heat Has Gone Cold, But A New Team Emerges…

Sorry if we hooked you with the headline. No, it’s not “time” yet for Damian Lillard to trade. It’s overdue, certainly. But it hasn’t happened. What has happened is an influx of reports as NBA beat writers and insiders return to their posts for training camps and preseason basketball. We’ve read a lot of rumors, but the Heat and Blazers haven’t spoken about a trade package involving Damian Lillard in quite some time. If you recall, the Portland superstar requested a trade, specifically to the Heat, back in June. Instead, a new team has emerged as the favorite to land Dame.

The Raptors Are All-In

Multiple reports over the past 48 hours say Toronto is actively working to complete a trade for Lillard. The Raptors coveted Lillard in the 2012 NBA Draft. Portland selected him No. 6 overall. Toronto settled for Terrence Ross with the No. 8 pick. It’s safe to say those two picks in between have haunted the Raptors over the years, aside from one Finals run with Kawhi Leonard and company. All the rumors and NBA insiders we’ve read discuss options for the 76ers, Spurs, and even the Knicks, but Toronto appears to be the only team willing to offer a sweet deal.

The Raptors’ only two point guards on the roster are Dennis Schroder and Malachi Flynn. They’re deep in the front court — like Grand Canyon deep — with six, even seven talented forwards. If Toronto could part ways with two talented stars, and probably 4-5 years of draft picks, Canadian Dame could be inevitable.

Pony up, Miami. The Dame-Trade monopoly is over, and the season starts in three weeks.

Yahoo! Sports: Why the Raptors Should — or Shouldn’t — Trade for Damian Lillard

Photo: Alika Jenner / Getty Images