As we inch closer to a potential Kevin Durant deal, Stein seems to think the Raptors are willing to give up their lottery pick.
Let’s cut to the chase here — The Toronto Raptors seem like they may be on the brink of being involved in another big trade. The news that the Phoenix Suns were keen on moving Durant in the final year of his current deal did not shock many, given how disappointing their 2024-25 season was. Toronto’s involvement in the talks regarding Durant has not been shocking either, given Masai Ujiri and Bobby Webster’s tendency to try to wiggle themselves into these big trades in various ways.
The latest on The Stein Line had one intriguing point about the Raptors, though. Jake Fischer, or “The People’s Insider” as he is called, said Monday that out of all teams with a lottery pick in the upcoming draft, Toronto seems like the most likely to trade their No. 9 pick. We all know the hopes were to get a better pick, especially since Toronto had the 7th-best odds and they ended up with the No. 9 pick, but it’s also clear the team wants to compete as early as next season. That was clear once the team made the swing to get Brandon Ingram traded to Toronto from New Orleans.
Whether you agree or not that Durant makes them a contender in a weak Eastern Conference, Fischer has reason to believe that the Raptors may try and persuade Phoenix to trade for KD. The price would include that No. 9 pick as well as potentially RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, or Jakob Poeltl — the latter especially if it’s Durant the team is getting in return.
Yet the hurdle in that may be Durant himself, who has named teams such as San Antonio, Houston, Miami, and maybe even the Minnesota Timberwolves as preferred landing spots. Factors like a lack of income tax in these locations, plus the bargaining tactic of saying he won’t re-sign anywhere else in a year, may factor into his preferences. Toronto could certainly still make the move regardless, but they risk 1) Durant refusing to come here, and 2) dealing away that much just for one year of mid-thirties KD only for him to leave after one season.
Fischer seems to think the Raptors could opt to trade down in the first round rather than trade out (aka, into the second round), which again isn’t shocking. Ujiri and Webster pride themselves on their scouting abilities, finding unique talent in the later picks. Last year’s rookies (Jamal Shead, Ja’Kobe Walter, and Jamieson Battle, especially) prove that.
There is also the possibility that Toronto involves itself in the eventual Durant deal as a third (maybe fourth) team, to help other teams facilitate under salary cap restrictions. In that scenario, Toronto could get their hands on another pick, a role player, or let go of some contracted money to help them make another move.
Regardless, it seems like something is cooking for the Raptors ahead of the NBA Draft.