The Toronto Raptors’ surprising ascent up the Eastern Conference standings is beginning to reshape how rival executives view their intentions ahead of the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline.
At 16-11 and sitting third in a wide-open East, Toronto has emerged as one of the league’s most intriguing potential buyers. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, that early success has prompted internal discussions about whether the Raptors should make a meaningful frontcourt upgrade — with Sacramento Kings All-Star Domantas Sabonis now firmly on their radar.
Raptors’ Sabonis Interest Tied to Strong Start in Eastern Conference
Fischer reported that Toronto’s willingness to engage in major trade talks will hinge on how well the team continues to perform as the deadline approaches. Still, the Raptors have already sent clear signals that they are monitoring Sabonis’ situation closely.
“The business Toronto is ultimately willing to conduct before the February trade buzzer will likely come down to how good the 16-11 Raptors still are as that deadline draws closer,” Fischer wrote.
“Toronto, though, has sent out some early signals that it hopes to upgrade its frontcourt. Sources with knowledge of the Raptors’ thinking have identified them as a team with interest in Domantas Sabonis.”
While Fischer also noted Toronto’s connection to a potential deal for Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis, Sabonis appears to be the more realistic All-Star target under consideration — if the Kings are willing to listen.
The Kings’ 6-20 start makes them an active seller at the trade deadline. Sabonis is in the second year of a four-year, $186 million extension he signed in 2023.
Kings Center’s Injury Status Adds Complexity to Trade Talks
Sabonis, a three-time All-Star, has missed Sacramento’s last 12 games with a partial meniscus tear, introducing both risk and opportunity for teams monitoring his availability.
Before the injury, Sabonis was once again among the league’s most productive big men, averaging 17.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 51% from the field.
At 29 years old, Sabonis fits squarely within the Raptors’ timeline with 24-year-old Scottie Barnes and 28-year-old Brandon Ingram and would immediately elevate Toronto’s frontcourt scoring, rebounding and playmaking — areas that have fluctuated during stretches of the season.
Raptors Not Looking to Move Jakob Poeltl in Sabonis Pursuit
GettyDomantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Jakob Poeltl of the Toronto Raptors.
Despite their interest in Sabonis, Fischer reported that the Raptors are not actively seeking to move Jakob Poeltl, their long-tenured center who remains a central piece of the roster.
Poeltl is averaging 10.1 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 26.2 minutes per game — his lowest workload since returning to Toronto in a midseason trade from San Antonio during the 2022-23 season. He has also been managing a nagging back injury.
Rather than replacing Poeltl, Fischer reported Toronto would prefer to add another high-level frontcourt option capable of complementing him, particularly as the Raptors’ offense has sputtered at times without injured wing RJ Barrett.
Raptors’ Deadline Approach Still Depends on Standings
Fischer cautioned that Toronto’s deadline behavior remains fluid.
“Yet we’ll have to see how the up-and-down Raptors, whose offense has faded without the injured RJ Barrett, hold up in the East before we know for sure if they are truly prepared to follow up last February’s acquisition of Brandon Ingram with another win-now splurge,” Fischer wrote.
That evaluation period will be critical, especially with the Eastern Conference lacking a clear favorite and several contenders still managing injuries of their own.
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