The 2019 NBA champs have emerged as darkhorse trade contenders for Damian Lillard.

With the new NBA season right around the corner, the situation in Portland grows more unstable by the day. And as Damian Lillard does whatever he can to force his way to the Heat, other teams are re-considering their approach to the situation.

For Raptors President Masai Ujiri, the interest in Lillard is notable, especially considering the team’s previous experience with risky trade deals. “I’ve heard that it’s not just one team, that multiple teams in the Eastern Conference, the Raptors being one of them (to express interest in Lillard),” said Matt Moore on the ‘Locked On’ NBA podcast. “That’s the thing nobody’s really saying, but everyone around the league kinda knows that the Raptors are amongst the teams.”

For weeks now, it’s been reported that the only team with interest in Lillard was the Miami Heat. Thanks to the statements made by Damian Lillard and his agent, Aaron Goodwin, other teams across the league are hesitant to trade for Lillard, knowing that it’s ultimately not where he wants to play. The result has been a complete stalemate in trade negotiations, with both sides (the Heat and Blazers) holding out on each other in hopes of getting the best bargain.

Recently, however, the narrative started to shift with Lillard, and it was reported that trade talks were being had with a mystery third team. According to Moore, the Raptors could be that third team, and they already have the assets needed to get the job done.

Raptors Can Build A Better Package Than The Heat

The Miami Heat have been hesitant to put their best package on the table, but if the Raptors are serious about a run for Lillard, it could force them to increase the value of their offer. With a tandem of Lillard and Pascal Siakam in mind, the Raptors could offer a deal that sends Scottie Barnes, Gary Trent Jr., Chris Boucher, and multiple draft picks to the Blazers, and it would have to be something they consider.

For Portland, their needs are clear, with Lillard likely on his way out: young players and draft picks. So, as a team set on rebuilding and working toward the future, the Trail Blazers could benefit from the arrival of the 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year. For now, we are still uncertain about what the market is like for Damian Lillard, but the longer he stays on the Trail Blazers roster, the more likely it is that he’ll either stay put or land somewhere other than his preferred destination. Either way, the Raptors are lingering as a major threat to make the trade.

Lillard And Siakam Would Be A Powerhouse In The East

Despite the struggles in Portland, Damian Lillard’s status as an NBA superstar, and one of the top point guards in the game means that any team he’s on has a chance to make some noise. At 33 years old, Lillard averaged a career-best 32.2 points per game last season, including a miraculous 71-point game that nobody will forget.

The biggest problem for Lillard has always been on the defensive end, where he lacks the same effectiveness as other guards in the league. Fortunately, Pascal Siakam can help cover for him on this side of the court. As one of the league’s top two-way wing players, he’s the perfect compliment for Lillard. Siakam, 29, averaged 24.2 points per game for the Raptors last season, and it’s hard to see how those numbers wouldn’t go up with an outside threat like Damian Lillard operating in the backcourt.

While the Raptors are obviously not one of Damian Lillard’s preferred teams, there are worse places for him to end up, and he really doesn’t have a choice but to suit up for them since he still has four years left on his deal.