Damian Lillard communicated to the Portland Trail Blazers that he was willing to be patient and let the season play out if it meant he could eventually be traded to the Miami Heat.

Lillard has been working out at the Blazers' practice facility over the past two weeks, interacting with players and coaches.

Joe Cronin expressed skepticism about Lillard beginning training camp with the Blazers and it became clear they would try to resolve the trade situation before media day on Oct. 2.

Lillard believed his loyalty to the Blazers since he was drafted in 2012 meant they would accommodate him with his trade request to the Heat. Lillard wanted the Blazers to try to find a workable deal with the Heat and that wish went unfulfilled. 

Lillard's camp had a realization that he would need to begin to seriously consider the possibility of playing somewhere other than Miami.

Cronin stopped responding to all communication from Lillard's agent, Aaron Goodwin, in mid-September as tension increased between both sides.

Once Lillard was convinced a trade to the Heat was virtually impossible, sources say he came open to the prospect of playing for the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks. The Toronto Raptors had serious interest in trading for Lillard, but his resistance to playing for that franchise remained an obstacle. 

There have been no discussions over a contract extension between the Toronto Raptors and Pascal Siakam, sources told Michael Grange of Sportsnet.

The Raptors are instead taking a wait-and-see approach over how Siakam fits into Darko Rajakovic's offense this season.

Siakam has been the subject of trade rumors this offseason, including a potential deal with the Hawks. 

Siakam was also not part of any trade packages for Damian Lillard, according to sources. 

The Toronto Raptors have emerged this week as the frontrunners to trade for Damian Lillard, two team executives tell ESPN's Marc J. Spears.

The Raptors have had recent conversations with the Portland Trail Blazers, but no trade is imminent. Toronto could send out Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes or OG Anunoby as part of their trade package, plus Gradey Dick and future first round picks. 

Lillard requested a trade from the Blazers to the Miami Heat on July 1st, but no substantial discussions have occurred between the two teams. The Heat initially offered the Blazers a package built around Tyler Herro and two first round picks.

Two executives expect Lillard to be traded before Portland's media day on October 2nd.

The Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls have also shown interest in Lillard.

The Toronto Raptors' interest in trading for Damian Lillard is considered "genuine," sources told Marc Stein of Substack. 

Lillard, meanwhile, is reportedly "resistant" to the idea of becoming a Raptor. 

The Bulls have also been emerged as a possible trade destination for Lillard in recent days.

It is believed that that Blazers want to trade Lillard before the start of training camp on October 3.  

The Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors have emerged as teams who are believed to have engaged with the Portland Trail Blazers on trade talks for Damian Lillard, sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

The Miami Heat have not factored primarily in Portland's recent dialogue, though they are expected to be engaged before the Blazers were to finalize a deal with another team.

The Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz could participate in a multi-team scenario.

The Blazers have strongly considered acquiring Deandre Ayton as part of a multi-team trade for Lillard. The Blazers have registered interest in Ayton in the past with the current scenario involving Jusuf Nurkic going to the Suns.

Host Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux) and Arturo Galletti (@AmericanNumbers) continue their annual tradition of breaking down the over/under lines for the Eastern Conference.

They go through over/unders and other relevant odds for the Pistons (3:44), Hornets (12:01), Wizards (18:11), Magic (24:18), Pacers (28:25), Raptors (33:12), Bulls (37:45), Hawks (43:30), Nets (47:27), Heat (54:01), Cavaliers (58:47), Bucks (1:03:18), Knicks (1:11:21), 76ers (1:19:55) and Celtics (1:29:08).

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The Atlanta Hawks were reportedly unwilling to add Kobe Bufkin in a deal for Pascal Siakam, sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

The Hawks previously offered DeAndre Hunter and the 15th pick of the 2023 draft for Siakam, according to Marc Stein. 

The Hawks drafted Bufkin with the 15th pick.

Scotto adds that Bogdan Bogdanovic will become trade eligible on September 16.