With Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant expected to be moved soon, the Toronto Raptors among the suitors that have taken a serious interest in the 15-time All-Star. As wild as it may seem, the NBA’s only team based outside the U.S. may just be able to acquire one of the country’s biggest stars. Though it falls short of a king’s ransom, the package they’re willing to trade for Durant is considerable.
“Sources say that the Raptors would be willing to part with either RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley for a significant roster upgrade,” The Stein Line insider Jake Fischer reports. “Several league figures with knowledge of the Raptors’ thinking have likewise asserted that they could show a willingness to move center Jakob Poeltl as well … provided that the trade in question brought back Durant.”
Raptors Package For Kevin Durant, Revealed
To start, it’s important to know that RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl can’t be traded straight-up for Durant at the same time. The Raptors trio’s combined 2025-26 salary ($79.7) far exceeds Durant’s, who will make $54.7 million next season. With that in mind, as the second apron team, the Suns can’t take back more than 100 percent of the salary they send out. Furthermore, they can’t aggregate contracts to facilitate a trade.
That doesn’t mean that Toronto’s three trade chips couldn’t be pushed to the middle of the table though.
With Phoenix trying to solve their center problem, Poeltl could be a centerpiece of the team. Because they’re trying to push Bradley Beal out, either Quickley or Barrett could appeal to them. However, they’re looking to upgrade at point guard, a problem since they traded Chris Paul. Thus, Quickley probably makes more sense in terms of their roster construction.
At least one player, say Barrett, could be re-routed to another team. The Brooklyn Nets, an organization with abundant cap space and draft capital, are one such option. That being said, acquiring additional first-round picks from the Nets could be what puts the Raptors offer over the top.
Replacing Immanuel Quickley Quickly
Toronto could also trade Barrett in a simultaneous transaction. They aren’t exactly running him out of his hometown, but he’s clearly someone they’re willing to part with. If they do move Barrett, they could try to replace Quickley, targeting a player like Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons. They could even shoot for Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday, who is currently rumored to be available.
Bye Bye, RJ Barrett?
Ultimately, the Raptors will be rolling with a Big 3 of Durant, Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes. Interestingly, all three players are forwards. Yet, Barnes is athletic enough to stick with wing players and Durant’s shooting touch balances the floor offensively.
If Barrett were to be retained, he might be relegated to the second unit, unless Barnes started at point guard. That conundrum could be solved by landing one of the aforementioned hypothetical guards (Simons or Holiday), or even another option. All things considered, it’s likely they’ll trade him no matter what they give up for Durant.
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