The Toronto Raptors are expected to make a splashy move this offseason, and they have emerged as a trade candidate for a Brooklyn Nets star.
The Toronto Raptors, after making the overlooked move to trade for an injured Brandon Ingram last season, are expected to make another big move this summer and open a window of contention.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has emerged as a favorite for the Raptors, and they do have a very clear path to trade for him, likely making them the favorite to win the Eastern Conference next season, regardless of who they have to give up in the deal.
However, if the Raptors can’t land Giannis, there are plenty of other solid options, and one star player has emerged on their radar in addition to Antetokounmpo.
Raptors’ path to land Cameron Johnson revealed
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images
In an effort to round out their roster, the Raptors have been linked to Brooklyn Nets’ sharpshooter Cameron Johnson, who has long been included in NBA trade rumors.
Dating back to before the season, Johnson was linked to the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder–pretty much any team with hopes of making the playoffs.
The Nets ended up keeping him, and he averaged a career-high 18.8 points per game on excellent efficiency. He is under contract for the next two seasons and is expected to be traded this summer.
“Hearing Nets may want to move up from #19 to the lottery, offering CamJ and #19 to Raptors or Rockets for either Raps 9th or Rockets 10th plus a bad contract,” posted Bob Windrem on social media. “That would give Nets two picks in top 10 (presupposing neither team would need picks for Giannis trade.)”
The Nets have long been rumored to be interested in adding another lottery pick to their arsenal, and in a win-now effort, the Raptors could add a proven player.
Hearing Nets may want to move up from #19 to the lottery, offering CamJ and #19 to Raptors or Rockets for either Raps 9th or Rockets 10th plus a bad contract. That would give Nets two picks in top 10 (presupposing neither team would need picks for Giannis trade.)
— NetsDaily (@NetsDaily) June 4, 2025
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Between Ingram, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley, the Raptors have a solid core of players to make a playoff push. Granted, they finished last season 30-52, although Ingram did not play a single game for them.
How Johnson would fit with Raptors
In terms of “bad” contracts, the Raptors don’t have much to offer, although Barrett matches Johnson’s salary rather well, and he is simply a less-efficient player who, critically, fits the Nets’ rebuild.
If the Nets were to trade for Barrett, they might have to include an additional late-round draft pick just to entice the Raptors into giving up the ninth pick.
In a smaller deal like this, with minimal outgoing assets, the Raptors could turn around and deal for Giannis still, certainly making them title favorites. Even without adding the Greek Freak, adding Johnson would get the Raptors into the playoffs.
A lineup of Quickley, Ingram, Johnson, Barnes, and Jakob Poeltl would be solid on defense. It would also be a blistering offense with three quality shooters, Barnes, who can create for himself, and Poeltl, an underrated interior scorer.
As the Eastern Conference gets worse and formerly great teams deal with injuries, the Raptors could take advantage of the East being wide open.
While Giannis would be the best player for them to add, Johnson is much more affordable, reasonable, and would allow them to compete for a playoff spot next season.