The Toronto Raptors are far from finished constructing their championship roster.
Adding Kawhi Leonard moved the needle from play-in hopeful to conference contender. But Toronto is still putting the finishing touches on this roster.
The Raptors have never been a team afraid of making moves. History shows that when the going gets tough, the Raptors make even tougher deals.
The team floundered in 2013: why not trade their best scorer, then win 14 more games the next season? Can’t get over the hump of LeBronto? They trade away their All-NBA shooting guard for a one-year rental of an injured player, and win the NBA Championship.
And now, with the Eastern Conference at its most dangerous since the days of Jordan’s Bulls and Ewing’s Knicks, you’d better believe that the Raptors are gearing up to get a missing piece — or two.
Here are three players the Raptors could be potentially eyeing to bring together their team.
Karl-Anthony Towns (C, Knicks)
A few months ago, most would have labeled Towns untouchable in the trade market, but in the wake of a very messy contract negotiation with the New York Knicks, the Big Purr might be in a position to leave the Big Apple.
The centerpiece of the issue in New York is that Towns feels that the franchise is heavily undervaluing him and that would not have won the 2026 Finals without him. Towns is a fantastic scorer and rebounder known for his floor-spacing. He’s also developed respectable defense and passing, shoring up his biggest weaknesses.
He would perfectly fill the shooting big man role Toronto’s starting lineup lacks. With two years left on his deal and All-Star production, Towns would command a massive price.
The most logical trade package starts with a three-team variation of a previous trade that the Raptors and Kings tried to pull off. Barrett, Poeltl, and picks would go to Sacramento. The Knicks would send Towns to Toronto in exchange for Sabonis, draft compensation, and a player like Allen Graves.
Expensive, yes. But that frontcourt upgrade would let Toronto contend with the star centers in Miami and Philadelphia.
Andrew Nembhard (G, Pacers)
Nembhard is on a very team-friendly contract and is currently playing at shooting guard, with Tyrese Haliburton slotted in at the one. The Canadian guard is a facilitator of the highest order. He’s averaged 7.7 assists over the past two years after a breakout season filling in for his injured teammate.
Nembhard has playoff experience, can score, and is shooting above 40% from three this season. A floor-spacing facilitator is exactly what Toronto needs.
Getting another Canadian on the Raptors to pair with RJ Barrett would be a great boost for fan morale as well, with the two guards both having played for Team Canada in the past. The Team Canada connection would be a bonus for the fanbase, and should the Raptors put together the right package, this could be the start of something beautiful up north.
Robert Williams III (C, Trail Blazers)
Portland seems to be hoarding centers so the rest of the league can’t have them. This is a strategy that, while potentially effective, is something the Raptors could disrupt by making a swing for Robert Williams III.
The former Boston Celtic is a player who’s dealt with injuries but has had success in both reserve and starting roles across his career. A one-time All-Defensive selection, Williams could serve as a tested veteran presence among Toronto’s relatively inexperienced crop of forwards and centers.
The Timelord is on a $44 million, three-year deal with the Blazers, who are currently boasting a guard-heavy roster. As such, swapping Williams in a multi-team deal to make the money work could be an ideal decision for the Raptors.
Portland could pick up Kyle Anderson in a sign-and-trade. The Lakers could send Jarred Vanderbilt and receive picks and cash considerations to make the deal work.
The Raptors Will Make a Move Before the Deadline
The Raptors are not a rebuilding team, and yet, to say that both their fans and their organization are fully content with their roster would be incorrect. The team’s large contracts and at times streaky play from their starters make trades at this juncture complicated and anything but straightforward.
Whether it will be a guard or a center, the Raptors will assuredly shore up their roster before taking more steps into the playoffs, and into a new era of Toronto basketball.
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