(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
After months of speculation, it seems the Portland Trail Blazers may be close to trading superstar guard Damian Lillard, with the Toronto Raptors looking like the likely destination for the perennial All-Star, even if that’s not where he wants to end up.
Ever since Lillard made his trade demand to the Blazers, he has let it be known that he only wants to play for the Miami Heat moving forward, which forced Portland into a difficult position to try and work out a deal with Pat Riley and company.
However, the Blazers brass haven’t liked any trade scenarios involving the Heat, and after a lot of back and forth between the teams, it seems that Miami is no longer an option.
At this point, it seems like the Raptors or bust for the Blazers, with it potentially only being a matter of time before the two sides agree upon a blockbuster trade to send Lillard to Toronto.
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith recently reacted to the rumors that Lillard will likely end up with the Raptors before next season and how he believes it would be a waste of time for the future Hall of Famer, via “First Take” and ClutchPoints.
“That means absolutely nothing to what Damian Lillard’s long term plans are… He wants to compete for a championship… It’s a waste of time to even think of going to the Toronto Raptors.”
—Stephen A. Smith
(via @FirstTake)pic.twitter.com/v2WXZ5WARg
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 26, 2023
Ending up with the Raptors might result in Lillard being in an even worse situation than he was in Portland, as Toronto seems to be at the beginning of a rebuilding phase and not much of a threat in the Eastern Conference, even with the superstar added into the mix.
Although a deal has yet to come to fruition between these teams, Lillard is almost certainly unhappy about how things are trending, especially with his sights set on Miami.
The post Stephen A. Smith Comments On Damian Lillard Potentially Joining Raptors appeared first on The Cold Wire.
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