NBA Rumors: Scottie Barnes' Status In Raptors/Blazers Trade Talks

While the Toronto Raptors remain front and center as the rumored frontrunners to trade for Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard, one thing remains tried and true in the Dinos' discussions: Scottie Barnes isn't going anywhere.

The Toronto Raptors have made Scottie Barnes untouchable in all trade talks, per @basketballtalk

“Been told by multiple people it's not that he was taken off the table, he was never in the same room as the table.” pic.twitter.com/8fVaK7IKFx

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 26, 2023

According to NBA Insider Kurt Helin of NBC Sports, Barnes remains untouchable in trade talks.

"Portland fans love the idea of landing him but I've been told by multiple people it's not that he was taken off the table, he was never in the same room as the table," wrote Helin.

Barnes was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2021-22, and although he didn't take any huge leaps in his sophomore season, he still showed plenty of tools, averaging 15.3 points for the second straight year, while upping his playmaking skills, recording 4.8 assists, to go along with 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals.

So any Raptors roster that includes Damian Lillard, will also include Scottie Barnes, and, from all accounts, Pascal Siakam.

"For what it’s worth," writes Raptors beat reporter Michael Grange, "there have been no back-channel feelers from the Blazers regarding the possibility that All-Star forward Pascal Siakam — who might be a good fit in a deal because he has one year and $38 million on his contract — would be open to re-signing in Portland.

"That also makes sense because it wouldn’t make sense (sic) for Toronto to trade for a 33-year-old future Hall of Famer and not have two-time all-NBA forward Siakam on hand as a No. 2 option."

The Dame Saga continues, with less than a week to go before camps open. 

Photo: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports