The 2026 NBA trade deadline is a few weeks away, and while there have been only three trades this season, plenty of trade rumors are circulating across the league. One team that has been at the forefront of trade talks is the Toronto Raptors.
Toronto has made one trade so far. They sent Ochai Agbaji and a 2032 second-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets, and the Raptors received Chris Paul from the Los Angeles Clippers in a three-team deal. Paul is expected to be traded or waived before the trade deadline.
Another trade was heavily disscussed but as of right now it’s on pause. The trade was Domantas Sabonis to Toronto for RJ Barrett, while Jakob Poeltl goes to a third team. The reason the trade didn’t go through is that the Raptors didn’t want to give up multiple draft picks.
Poeltl’s contract, which has three years and $ 84 million left after this season, and his bad back also make it hard for teams to acquire him. He is considered a terrible trade asset because of his contract and his back issues.
The Raptors are currently fourth in the Eastern Conference. They are playing well despite having injuries on the team. Barrett, Poeltl, and Collin Murray-Boyles are key rotational players who missed significant time due to injuries. Barrett and Murray-Boyles have been able to come back. But Poeltl is still out due to his ongoing back issues.
Toronto could still make more trades. As of this writing, they have about 20 hours left until the trade deadline closes. Paul could get moved again. The Sabonis talks could resume. Barrett could be moved in a different trade. So let’s see what else this team could do.
Besides Sabonis, they are also linked to role players like Daniel Gafford, Goga Bitadze, Day’Ron Sharpe, and Yves Missi. They could’ve improved the point guard depth earlier in the season, but Immanuel Quickley has been playing great as of late, so Quickley is safe for now. Getting some three-point shooters could also be beneficial for Toronto.
Poeltl’s back issue remains a concern. They’re struggling against bigger teams. The center position is the most glaring issue for this team. That’s why Toronto should go after a center. Paul’s contract could also be used to get a center. The best we can do is get a center who’s on a veteran minimum contract.
Which centers should the Raptors go after?
Let’s start with Sabonis, since the buzz of him going to Toronto has gotten the most traction. My ideal trade for both sides should be Sabonis and Doug McDermott for Barrett, Poeltl, and a 2026 lottery-protected first-round pick.
Here are some pros and cons of the Raptors acquiring Sabonis. He’s a great offensive player who can score, shoot threes, create space, and go down to the post. Sabonis is also a great board grabber and a good playmaker. He would help out a lot for this team, but he’s not a good defender.
Helping on the offensive end is nice, but Toronto needs someone who can defend the paint and block shots. Sabonis cannot do both of those things. And giving up Barrett, who is one of their better offensive players, for a non-defending center seems like a bad idea.
When Barrett was out due to his injuries, the Raptors’ offense suffered. The offensive rating with him in the rotation is 118.3, without him it’s 110.5. Toronto’s points per game are 117.8 with him playing and 108.4 without him.
The Raptors make 43.3 out of 88.8 field goals, 11.8 out of 33.4 three-point field goals, and 19.4 out of 24.7 free throw field goals with Barrett playing. And without him, they make 40.7 out of 90.4 field goals, 11 out of 33.9 three-point field goals, and 16 out of 20.6 free throw field goals.
If a deal is accepted, they have to make sure that either Gradey Dick or Ja’kobe Walter can fill Barrett’s shoes. Dick averages 6.9 points per game with Barrett playing and 6.2 without him, while Walter averages 5.9 points per game with Barrett and 6.8 points per game without him.
These numbers show that they aren’t ready to be the starting shooting guard. So, trading Barrett, who has been key to their offense, for Sabonis, who is a great offensive player but doesn’t do the one thing this team is, which is be a defender, might not be the best idea.
The best thing for the Raptors to do is to let’s see how this roster does with how they currently are in the playoffs, and then make a Sabonis trade in the offseason. It’s easier to make those kinds of trades in the summer because it wouldn’t affect the team’s chemistry as they prepare for the postseason.
That doesn’t mean that Toronto shouldn’t make a trade; they should because the Raptors need to get a defensive center. So, let’s look at the smaller name centers. A Gafford deal could get done if the Dallas Mavericks include Klay Thompson in the trade; the Raptors could then give up Barrett and a 2026 lottery-protected first-round pick.
Gafford does everything that Toronto needs. Despite getting Gafford in the deal, Toronto should not make this trade because Thompson might be a question mark. He’s not what he used to and he would be a downgrade to Barrett. This trade would also put the Raptors in the first apron, which is something that this team is trying to prevent from happening.
Missi would’ve been the ideal target for me if it weren’t for the fact that Agbaji was traded. He does everything that this team needs, but it seems unlikely that the New Orleans Pelicans would want Paul in return even if Toronto gives up a second-round pick. The only way this trade happens is if the Raptors give up a first-round pick, which won’t happen.
So, unless Toronto can find a center and they can still be under the tax, the Raptors should stand pat and perhaps look into the buyout market to improve the team. Toronto is in a good position right now, and their chemistry is great. Why break that up? Wait until the offseason, then make the trade to get a big-time player like Sabonis.