TORONTO — Trade season has arrived, and Toronto has wasted little time engaging the market. League executives expect activity, and the Raptors already fit that profile. According to reporting from Jake L. Fischer, Toronto has placed exploratory calls on elite frontcourt talent. As Fischer wrote, “Sources with knowledge of the Raptors’ thinking have identified them as a team with interest in Domantas Sabonis as well as Anthony Davis.” That statement signals Toronto’s intent. The Raptors will look try to trade for Anthony Davis and Domantas Sabonis.
Raptors Gunning For 5x All-NBA Center, 3x All-Star, And A Surprise
A Team Exceeding Expectations
Toronto’s interest comes from a position of strength, not desperation. The Raptors sit third in the East with a 16–11 record, well above preseason forecasts. They surged through a nine-game winning streak and lost just once in a fourteen-game stretch. A recent four-game skid ended with a road win in Miami, restoring momentum. This context matters. Toronto is reinforcing. That explains why the Raptors’ interest in Anthony Davis feels plausible rather than speculative.
The Jakob Poeltl Problem
Jakob Poeltl’s uneven season has clarified priorities. He averages 10.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks in 26.3 minutes. Those marks represent his lowest scoring and rebounding outputs in five years. Toronto struggles on the glass and ranks bottom ten in rebounding. Yet the Raptors still own a top-ten defense, ranked seventh overall. That contradiction drives the frontcourt search. Upgrading center play could unlock another defensive tier. Domantas Sabonis and Anthony Davis both address that imbalance for the Raptors differently.
The Anthony Davis Swing
Davis brings rare defensive gravity. The five-time All-NBA selection could elevate Toronto into top-three defensive territory. Davis has missed 16 games with a lingering calf strain and positional discomfort. In 11 appearances, he averages 20 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and 1.6 blocks. Those numbers trail his career norms. Contractually, the risk is significant. Davis earns $54 million this season with two years remaining. Any Anthony Davis trade would require long-term commitment from the Raptors into his late thirties. Toronto must weigh ceiling against durability.
Sabonis as the Stabilizer
Sabonis offers a different appeal. Sacramento’s downward spiral has opened conversations around veteran movement. The Kings sit thirteenth in the West, fueling reset speculation. Sabonis has missed time since November 19 with a partial meniscus tear. He has played 11 games, averaging 17.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals. His rebounding pedigree remains elite. Before this season, he led the league in rebounds three straight years. Domantas Sabonis solves the Raptors’ most glaring weakness immediately. His defensive limitations would be easier to mask on this roster.
A Lower-Cost Alternative
The Raptors have checked in on Daniel Gafford, per @JLew1050
(h/t @Fullcourtpass) pic.twitter.com/IHCVPa2HLE
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 16, 2025
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Toronto is also scanning secondary options. Josh Lewenberg of TSN reports interest in Daniel Gafford. The Mavericks center averages 8.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 22.3 minutes. Gafford lacks star equity but fits cleanly within Toronto’s defensive identity. Still, Davis and Sabonis remain the franchise-altering paths.
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