Could the Toronto Raptors make a trade to pair Kawhi Leonard with Kyrie Irving in the upcoming season? A new NBA rumor makes that a realistic possibility before the trade deadline.
While the offseason trades that sent Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat and Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers drew a lot of attention, many believe the Raptors reacquiring Leonard makes them a serious threat in the East. They took a major step forward in Darko Rajakovic’s second season as head coach and will add the future Hall of Famer to the roster.
However, there seems to be an arms race going on in the East after the New York Knicks won the NBA title in June. So the big question is whether a team led by Leonard and Scottie Barnes is enough to get the franchise to its second NBA Finals appearance. That is why another big trade during the season is a real possibility, and Irving should be on the radar of Raptors fans.
According to ESPN NBA insider Tim McMahon, “A healthy Irving, who has averaged 25.5 points and 5.1 assists per game in a Mavs uniform, could be a prime target for contenders before the trade deadline if new Dallas president Masai Ujiri is willing to engage in those discussions.”
Why the Toronto Raptors should be in the market for Kyrie Irving before the next NBA trade deadline
Mar 29, 2026; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving looks on from the stands during the second half of the game between the UConn Huskies and Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn ImagesCredit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
McMahon’s report opens the door for a variety of playoff contenders to pursue a trade for the mercurial guard who missed all of last season to rehab a torn ACL. Clubs like the Miami Heat and Houston Rockets have already been linked to an Irving trade and will probably be in the chase, depending on how their seasons unfold. However, the Raptors feel like a good trade partner for the Mavericks and Irving.
All reports suggest an Irving trade is very likely during the season because Ujiri wants to build the roster around rising teenage star Cooper Flagg. The 34-year-old doesn’t match up with their long-term timeline for Flagg as the face of the franchise. Rumors over the summer claim they would like young players and/or draft assets in a potential deal. The Raptors can offer that.
Toronto offering 26-year-old scorer RJ Barrett, a player Ujiri acquired, and a future first-round pick would be a good return for an aging, injury-prone player coming off an ACL tear. Especially with only one season left on Barrett’s contract.
The one thing the Raptors lack is a player who is both a high-level ball handler and scorer out of the backcourt. If Irving can return to a level close to what he was in 2024, he would definitely be that. Toronto would be relying heavily on two older athletes who have trouble staying healthy. However, when they are on the court, Leonard and Irving will be a very tough matchup for opponents.
After earning his journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos served as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sucka … More about Jason Burgos