The Toronto Raptors have multiple players who are popular and a head coach who’s created a winning culture. In spite of that, they don’t have the personnel to bring their dream of flying another NBA championship across the border to life. A glacial offensive team even while being led by All-Stars Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram, there’s a clear need for them to spice up their roster.
3 Splash Trades That Would Spice Up The Raptors’ Roster
Fortunately for the Raptors front office, the Feb. 5 trade deadline is still about four weeks away. That should give them more than enough time to work the phones in an effort to take Toronto to a new level.
Major Splash: Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Raptors receive: Jaylen Brown
Celtics receive: RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl, Ochai Agbaji, 2027 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick (top-10 protected)
In this scenario, the Raptors trade RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl, Ochai Agbaji and three first-round picks to the Boston Celtics for Jaylen Brown. On the surface, that may seem like too steep of a price. Yet, the soon-to-be five-time All-Star has proven he has what it takes to be a No. 1 option for a playoff team. As arguably the most dominant two-way player in the league, he’d bring the best of Barrett’s offense, the best of Agbaji’s defense, and more. In essence, he’ll elevate Toronto’s play at both ends of the floor at a time when they want to take a step up as a franchise.
To be clear, there’s no indication that the Celtics want to trade Brown or that he’s available. Even so, the right offer could be too difficult to pass up. With this package, Boston would acquire three starters (one of whom routinely displays borderline All-Star talent) and three first-round picks. If Jayson Tatum’s injury proves to be career-altering, this could be the type of deal that helps them navigate their next era.
Big Splash: Michael Porter Jr., Brooklyn Nets
Raptors receive: Michael Porter Jr.
Nets receive: RJ Barrett, Ochai Agbaji, 2027 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick (lottery protected)
The Brooklyn Nets aren’t trying to run Michael Porter Jr. out of the borough. In what’s been a revelatory season, Porter’s shown everyone why he believed he should have gotten more touches with the Denver Nuggets. After 32 games, he’s averaging 25.8 points per game on .487-.405-.844 shooting splits. He’s been playing so well that the dynastic Golden State Warriors and conference-leading Detroit Pistons have been wondering if he’s the missing piece. If the Nets did trade him though, word on the block is that they need two first-round picks.
The reason that the Raptors need him is very simple. His primary weapon is the 3-ball. That allows him to complement Barnes and Ingram, who are both shooting under 36 percent from 3 this season, and re-adjust their floor balance. With less congestion in the paint, Barnes and Ingram among others should be able to generate easier shots. To that point, 58.4% of Barnes’s shots and 53.7% of Ingram’s shots have come with defenders within four feet of them. If Porter’s allowed to lead Toronto’s bench units, he’ll be that much more potent, and thus valuable.
Splash: Collin Sexton, Charlotte Hornets
Raptors receive: Collin Sexton, Pat Connaughton, 2026 second-round pick (via DEN or GSW)
Hornets receive: RJ Barrett
Due to their desire to upgrade from Immanuel Quickley, Charlotte Hornets hybrid guard Collin Sexton is a reasonable trade target. He’s not considered to be in the realm of point guards like Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant or Washington Wizards newcomer Trae Young, who they’ve been connected to in trade rumors. Nevertheless, he’s considerably more efficient than Quickley, shooting 48.9% from the field to his 42.4%. Additionally, Sexton’s 3-point percent (37.4) is nearly 3.0 points higher than Quickley’s (34.6).
As the Raptors rank 30th in 3-point percentage, the gap between Sexton’s efficiency and Quickley’s is significant. That’s particularly true with Toronto being 24th in points per game (113.5) and 21st in offensive rating (114.4) despite ranking in the top-15 in field goal conversions per game (42.4) and field goal percentage (.470). Of course, Sexton would be replacing Barrett in the rotation rather than Quickley, but Barrett (35.5 percent) is a remarkably average 3-point shooter himself. That difference may be marginal but it could also be the difference between winning and losing.
Getting a draft pick and financial relief (both Sexton and Pat Connaughton are on expiring contracts) from the Hornets sweetens the deal.
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