Sources - Raptors current front-runners for Damian Lillard - ESPN

The Toronto Raptors enter this week as the front-runners to trade for Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard, two high-ranking NBA team executives told ESPN's Andscape.

While the Raptors have had recent conversations with the Blazers about Lillard, no pact was close to being imminent as of Monday morning, according to a source.

On July 1, ESPN reported that Lillard requested a trade, with his preferred destination being the Miami Heat. In the nearly three months since that request became public, no substantial trade conversations have taken place between the two teams, sources said.

The Heat offered a trade package that included sharpshooter Tyler Herro and two first-round picks, a source said.

A Raptors offer could include a package featuring players from a roster that includes two-time NBA All-Star Pascal Siakam, 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes, forward O.G. Anunoby, who is eligible for a contract extension, and rookie sharpshooter Gradey Dick. The Blazers are intrigued about adding a young 6-foot-8 sharpshooter in Dick, a source said.

The two NBA executives said that they expect Lillard to be traded before media day, which is Oct. 2 for most teams, including the Blazers, Heat and Raptors. Practices begin the next day.

Along with Toronto and Miami, the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls have shown interest since Lillard's initial trade request. Regardless of whether Lillard is traded or still in Portland come media day, a source said he is not expected to be a media day or training camp holdout.

Raptors president and vice chairman Masai Ujiri showed with his previous acquisition of Kawhi Leonard that he is not afraid of trading for an NBA star who could be reluctant