Among the top suitors for Damian Lillard there is one that he would have a more of a problem being dealt to, according to a Miami Heat insider.
The Raptors is where Lillard would reportedly ‘make it ugly’, according to Ethan Skolnick – who heard from a reporter that is close with Dame’s agent.
“Toronto is a place that Dame would make it ugly,” Skolnick said on Five on the Floor. “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.”
Veteran NBA insider Marc Sten shared similar sentiments about Lillard’s feelings on the Raptors.
“The Toronto Raptors have convinced numerous teams around the league that their interest in trading for Lillard is genuine,” Stein said. “However, the uncertainty at this point stems more from gauging Toronto’s true willingness to push all the way forward with its Lillard pursuit when it’s believed that the All-Star guard, behind the scenes, remains so resistant to the idea of becoming a Raptor.”
The top suitors for Lillard as it stands are the Bulls, Raptors and the Heat.
But it doesn’t matter where Lillard gets traded to.
If it’s not Miami he’ll be asking to be traded there, according to the Miami Herald.
Since their star point guard Fred Van Vleet has gone to Houston, Toronto do have an open spot at point guard.
But acquiring Dame comes at a huge risk The Athletic’s Eric Koreen says.
“Perhaps the Raptors front office could convince itself the Lillard trade would be the first move in getting it an even better star in a year or two: Antetokounmpo or Joel Embiid,” Koreen says. “The Raptors would have fewer assets than they do now at that point. Again, a huge risk with poor odds of working out.”
Since training camp starts next week, it seemed like a Lillard deal was imminent, though there are still only reports and rumors circulating.
READ MORE: France Put Joel Embiid on the Clock With Olympics Decision
