News Report: 3 reasons Raptors must include Scottie Barnes in Damian Lillard trade offer over miami heat…

This Damian Lillard trade saga has been dragging on for months with Portland and Miami unable to agree on a deal that would send Dame Time to South Beach. The situation has allowed other teams such to sneak into the discussion and, for the Raptors, even emerge as the frontrunner to land the seven-time All-Star.

Lillard previously remained adamant that he only wanted to go to Miami. Since then, he has eased his stance, saying he will be a pro and report to any team that he ends up going.

Kurt Helin of NBC Sports claims that the Raptors have deemed Barnes as untouchable in any trade for Lillard. Should they really, though? Here are three reasons why the Raptors should include Scottie Barnes in their offer for Damian Lillard.

1. Raptors can win now with Lillard

If it takes Scottie Barnes for Portland to agree on a deal, the main case for Toronto to do it is because they can win now with Lillard. On the flip side, Barnes is still just developing and is ways away from his prime. Lillard may be on the downside of his prime, but he is still one of the top point guards in the NBA. Pairing him with Siakam along with the other surrounding pieces the Raptors have left following the deal should make them a real threat in the East.

The construction of a package will be difficult though, as Lillard will make roughly $45 million this upcoming season. Including Barnes along with Anunoby may be too much for Toronto’s liking, so Masai Ujiri will need to get creative if the former Rookie of the Year is going to be the main trade chip. That, unfortunately, will also mean the Raptors will gut their depth.

It could take four Raptors players along with a plethora of draft picks and pick swaps to land Lillard. Let’s say the deal includes Barnes, Gary Trent Jr., Chris Boucher, and Thaddeus Young. That leaves the Raptors with a core of Lillard, Siakam, Anunoby, Jakob Poeltl to go along with new additions Dennis Schroder, Gradey Dick, and Jaden McDaniels. That’s a pretty good core to compete with in an Eastern Conference that is in flux.

Almost every team in the East will enter this season with some kind of wrinkle. The Bucks are getting older around Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Celtics traded a defensive staple in Marcus Smart for Kristaps Porzingis. Who the heck knows what Philadelphia is going to do with that messy James Harden situation. Miami made the Finals but isn’t getting Lillard if Toronto trades for him. The Knicks are the Knicks. Cleveland isn’t really a threat.