I am bad at this.
Last year, my colleague Will Guillory suggested the following “fake” trade to me in his effort to find a new home for Brandon Ingram: Toronto would receive Ingram for Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk and Indiana’s 2026 first-round pick, which the Raptors got in the Pascal Siakam trade. I said the Raptors wouldn’t do the trade, even though it was fair, because it would put them in a difficult economic position, correctly predicting the three-year, $120 million extension Ingram eventually signed with the Raptors.
The two teams ended up making that trade, with an extra second-rounder going to the Pelicans. So, when I say that these fake trades, submitted by readers, will not happen, please remember that I can be hilariously, specifically incorrect about these things.
Before we get to the trades, I believe the Raptors will make a move to duck the luxury tax, with them needing to cut about $1 million in salary to do so. However, I didn’t want to make every trade and all my analysis about that, so I’m putting that to the side in the scenarios. I am just assuming they’ll find a way to do that, with or without these deals.
Let’s get to it.
Big swings
To Toronto: Trey Murphy, Yves Missi, Jordan Hawkins
To New Orleans: RJ Barrett, Ochai Agbaji, 2026 and 2028 first-round picks (both top-8 protected), 2026 and 2027 second-round picks
— @jacksully
Who says no? New Orleans
Analysis: Any trade that moves Dick for Hawkins, the two would-be sharpshooters of the 2023 late lottery, taken one spot apart, who have not, uhhh, shot sharply, is objectively funny. It makes sense to throw Missi to the Raptors, who obviously need depth up front.
But this trade is about Murphy, and the price isn’t high enough. Never say never with Pelicans management, but Murphy, in his first year of a four-year, $112 million extension, is on a very good contract. While his defensive impact might be overstated, he is a clear two-way wing, a coveted type of player. I love his fit on the Raptors. But there is no reason for the Pelicans to trade him, given they do not own their own pick this year and he is on a good deal.
For the Raptors to make it work, they would have to throw in Collin Murray-Boyles in Agbaji’s place or add a third pick, lessening or eliminating the protections, too.
To Toronto: Ryan Kalkbrenner, Collin Sexton, Josh Green, first-round pick (top-eight protected this year, top-four protected 2027, unprotected afterward)
To Charlotte: Ingram
— @mattmc
Who says no? Both teams (but the Raptors have a longer meeting)
Analysis: I got a few proposals that involved moving Ingram, and I understand the idea. He is a tad overpaid in the current landscape; he has been remarkably healthy, and this might represent the peak of his value. It’s logical, although it overlooks that the Raptors are trying to win now. If Ingram is going out, they need another player who can handle the offensive load coming back in. I don’t think they want to put that pressure back on Scottie Barnes.
This makes little sense for the Hornets. Ingram and Brandon Miller are awfully similar, and Charlotte’s offense has been humming lately. With Miller, Ingram, LaMelo Ball and Kon Kuneppel, the Hornets would be too tilted toward guys who want the ball, even if Kuneppel can be dangerous in many ways. To give up a lottery pick and Kalkbrenner, a useful big man on a team-friendly contract, for such an iffy fit? It doesn’t check out.
(By the way, I got no Ja Morant proposals, and thank you for that. I’d much prefer the Raptors check in on Ball’s availability, even considering his drawbacks.)
To Toronto: Giannis Antetokounmpo
To Milwaukee: Ingram, Gradey Dick, Jakob Poeltl, 2026, 2028 and 2030 first-round picks (top-four protected in 2030), 2027 and 2029 first-round pick swaps
— @baitch
Who says no? The Bucks, Giannis, maybe the Raptors
Analysis: First of all, unprotect that last pick. The Bucks aren’t making this trade during the season with picks protected. There probably aren’t any Giannis trades during the season.
The proposer (?) also suggested a trade that put Barrett into Ingram’s spot and massaged some of the other parts, and I think that would be preferable for both teams. Barrett’s contract is a year shorter and much cheaper than Ingram’s (good for Milwaukee), and Ingram is a decent approximation of prime Khris Middleton, with whom Antetokounmpo won his only title (good for the Raptors).
Alas, the Raptors would be rightly concerned about their depth with this trade, and the Bucks would insist on more. If the Raptors want Giannis, now or in the summer, they had better be ready to give up Murray-Boyles — especially if Poeltl, and his contract, which runs into 2029-30, is involved.
Thank you for not suggesting two lottery-protected picks going to Milwaukee, though.
To Toronto: Tyler Herro, Keshad Johnson, Nick Richards
To Miami: Immanuel Quickley, Agbaji, 2028 and 2030 second-round picks (from Toronto), 2029 and 2032 second-round picks (from Phoenix)
To Phoenix: Dick
— @tpaisley
Who says no? Miami (and maybe Phoenix)
Analysis: I have been frequently told that Quickley makes too much money for his production and Dick has not delivered for the Raptors. I agree, putting aside Quickley recording the most-efficient 40-point game in league history on Tuesday. If that’s the case, how can the Raptors turn them, Agbaji and two second-rounders into a 26-year-old movement shooter who was an All-Star last year? Herro isn’t perfect, and the Heat are in a weird place, but that’s not happening.
With the Heat, you also have to consider that they will be circling Antetokounmpo if he ever becomes available. Accordingly, they would rather have the better player on the shorter contract available to offer Milwaukee.
To Toronto: Michael Porter Jr.
To Brooklyn: Ingram
— @awhist
Who says no? Both teams
Analysis: The Nets would need draft compensation, or there is nothing in it for them. While Porter is a great theoretical fit around Barnes, I don’t think the Raptors would want to add another player with a back issue. I also think Porter is a defensive downgrade, although not a huge one. Ultimately, there is not enough in it for either team.
Could there be a trade between the Kings and Raptors involving Domantas Sabonis that could work? (Sergio Estrada / Imagn Images)
To Toronto: Domantas Sabonis, Keon Ellis and Malik Monk
To Sacramento: Poeltl, Quickley, Dick, Agbaji, 2026 and 2028 first-round picks (2028 top-4 protected)
— @palaeohammer
Who says no? Sacramento (but there’s something here)
Analysis: Quickley and Poeltl’s contracts are too onerous for this to make sense for the Kings, although, as with the Pelicans, you should never outright rule something out with Sacramento. If they’re going to rebuild, they shouldn’t want contracts that run until the end of the decade. Also, trading Ellis separately likely allows them to get a little more in return.
Sabonis to the Raptors makes some sense to me, as his distribution skills would work perfectly with how Darko Rajaković wants his team to play. He doesn’t give the Raptors rim-protection or spacing, though.
A counter: The same pick compensation, Poeltl and Barrett for Sabonis and Ellis works. I’m not sure if I’d do that if I were the Raptors, but I’d have a long meeting about it. The Kings would, too, although if Barrett comes in, they would likely want to move on from one/both of Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. The Kings have some issues.
Trimming around the edges
To Toronto: Daniel Gafford
To Dallas: Agbaji, Dick and Garrett Temple
— @aliabcsh
Who says no? Dallas
Analysis: Gafford was a valuable starter on an NBA Finals team two years ago. He hasn’t been healthy this year, but he should be in demand. Meanwhile, assume that Agbaji, Dick and various minimum contracts are not getting the Raptors anyone that helps them beyond a fringe rotation player.
To Toronto: Missi, Hawkins
To New Orleans: Agbaji, Jonathan Mogbo, 2026 second-round pick
— @timwearing
Who says no? New Orleans
Analysis: I won’t argue that Missi or Hawkins have out-of-control trade value. But this is New Orleans moving two former first-round picks, both of whom still have years left on their rookie contracts, just to cut some guaranteed money and get a second-round pick. They can do better, or they can do nothing at all.
To Toronto: Day’Ron Sharpe
To Brooklyn: Agbaji, Mogbo
— @conradheidenreich
Who says no? It’s a deal! (with some picks added)
Analysis: Sharpe is a useful player and would be very useful for the Raptors. He also has another year left on his contract. Accordingly, the Nets aren’t just going to give him away.
If the Raptors throw in two or three second-round picks? Then we’re talking. The Nets are unlikely to hold on to a non-core piece if they can get some compensation and even modest savings. Sharpe averages 16 points and 12.6 rebounds per 36 minutes. He is good enough that he should have multiple suitors, although not impactful enough that he would get the Nets a first-round pick.
To Toronto: Ayo Dosunmu
To Chicago: Agbaji, Sandro Mamukelashvili, 2026 second-round pick
— @brianjackson
Who says no? Both teams
Analysis: My hot take is that, assuming Murray-Boyles is healthy sooner rather than later, the Raptors should be looking for a backup guard/wing who can shoot more than a big man. Dosunmu would be great, even if you’d prefer him to be a few inches taller. He’s having a career year from 3, bringing him up to 37.6 percent for his career. He has playmaking chops, too.
Alas, he is a free agent this offseason, and he has played well enough that he is due for a raise. The Raptors have too much money committed to their starters to be able to afford Dosunmu long-term. If the price is this low, perhaps they consider it, although I’m not sure Dosunmu is notably more valuable to the Raptors than Mamukelashvili this season, with the Raptors having few means to keep either of them long-term. If that’s the case, why give up the pick?
The Bulls probably also believe they can get more for Dosunmu. Thoughtful idea, though.
To Toronto: Paul Reed
To Detroit: Dick, 2026 second-round pick
— @mattmc
Who says no? Toronto (we did it!)
Analysis: I lean toward doing this if I’m the Raptors. I am happy to invest more of my backup wing playing time into Ja’Kobe Walter, and Dick getting a fresh start on a team with a top-shelf playmaker would be good for him. Reed is a serviceable big man, and is on the books for another year. With Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart, Reed is likely surplus to Detroit’s needs.
The Raptors would see this as selling low, though. (They would be correct, although Dick’s value could sink lower in a year if he doesn’t turn it around. ) As unreliable as Dick has been, the outlines of a good rotation player are there — so long as he becomes the shooter he was supposed to be coming out of Kansas. When do you start valuing production over potential? With Dick, I’d argue now, but I don’t think the Raptors would agree.
To Toronto: Rob Dillingham
To Minnesota: Agbaji, 2026 and 2027 second-round picks
— @jacksully
Who says no? It’s a deal!
Analysis: At least it could be a deal. Agbaji isn’t the reliable eighth or ninth man that the proposer suggests, but he comes off the books next year, which is a big deal for a team that a) has a lot of money on the books for next year; and b) has not trusted Dillingham in a regular role since they drafted him; and c) is trying to compete for a title.
I could see the Wolves cutting bait at this price, unless they love what they’ve seen behind the scenes. (It is their version of the Raptors’ conundrum with Dick.)