The Raptors were willing to part with a slew of draft assets to acquire Damian Lillard, according to Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca, but a Western Conference source tells him they were hoping to reach a deal with the Trail Blazers that didn’t include Pascal Siakam, OG Anunoby or Scottie Barnes.
Grange hears that Toronto’s offer included up to three future first-round picks, two pick swaps and rookie forward Gradey Dick. Team officials believed they could become title contenders by adding Lillard to their existing talent, but not by having him replace one of their key components.
The fact that the Raptors were involved in discussions for Lillard shows that the front office isn’t content with the team in its current form, observes Eric Koreen of The Athletic. Big decisions are coming up soon that will affect the organization’s future, and team officials will have to determine whether they’re planning to contend or rebuild.
Siakam and Gary Trent Jr. both have expiring contracts and are currently eligible for extensions. Another potential free agent next summer is Anunoby, who has a $19.9MM player option for 2024/25 that he’s expected to decline. Koreen notes that means the window is closing on a potential win-now move if the Raptors don’t do something by February’s trade deadline.
There’s more from Toronto:
- The Raptors aren’t likely to pursue Jrue Holiday, who is reportedly back on the market after being sent to Portland in the Lillard deal, Grange states in the same piece. Toronto wanted Lillard to provide more spacing for Barnes and Siakam, and Holiday isn’t on the same level as an outside shooter.
- The Raptors haven’t held any extension talks with Siakam, Grange adds. Siakam will become eligible for a super-max deal if he remains in Toronto and makes an All-NBA team in 2024.
- In a separate story, Koreen looks at questions for every player on the Raptors’ roster, including the need for a new lead guard after the loss of Fred VanVleet in free agency. He notes that Dennis Schröder normally excels at getting into the paint, but he may find that more difficult as Toronto doesn’t have enough outside shooting to provide driving lanes.
- Toronto pulled off a G League trade this week, with the Raptors 905 acquiring the rights to Denzel Valentine from the Maine Celtics in exchange for Kylor Kelley, tweets Blake Murphy of SportsNet.
At this point Clarkson is their best bet. Obviously not as good as Lillard but can bring the same type of game. I think Hayward for a low price would be a good move, but Hornets and Raptors are too close competitively to make a move.
Clarkson can’t be traded until Jan.
Jazz could make him available but it’ll be expensive as he has 3 yrs declining. Nice team contract to build around. Clarkson still young and in his prime.
All we know is the jazz owner loves him or Ainge would have sent him packing with the rest of the bunch that failed to bring a title.
Clarkson is the last to go so maybe your right.
Masai is out of his mind believing that he didn’t have to give up OG, Barnes or siakim lmao.
Meh 3 firsts are a lot. Their actual trade only got them one
Those would have most likely been late firsts.
True, but Milwaukee pick ain’t gonna be much better
But they got ayton. Masai just said here’s an unproven guy and 3 late firsts.
3 firsts, 2 pick swaps and Dick is a haul IMO. Not sure that was even on the table. Raptors would be crazy
Picks are a right to a future asset/player. Portland went with better player package
No doubt that portland could flip ayton and jrue for picks. Not worth it as they would rather retool then destroy and be worthless losers for years.
Portland can toy around with more trades or play this out and be way ahead of where they were with Dame
Those Raps picks would be so valuable. 3 future firsts that won’t start until 2026 (2024 is owed to the Spurs), this team is not set up for the future with or w/o Dame.
Siakim is up for the super max if he makes the all star game. A lot of long 2s & selfish basketball coming your way toronto fans. Also OG & g Trent also have expiring contracts. Raps definitely need to make moves asap or they will lose those guys for nothing.
Og could opt in so it’s not expiring for him. The team just don’t have control and the player does.
There’s only 1 thing that could force OG to opt in next year and I’m not even gonna say what it is!!
The kid is poised for a big year that’s what I do know. If he’s going to take the next step then it’s now or never!
Ujiri played this smart…
He could easily out bid Riley and he knew it…
But he didn’t want to give up more than Lillard would be worth to the Raptors… OGs future is bright… Dame has a small window…