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Last season was a big stepping stone for the Toronto Raptors. They successfully ended the three-year playoff drought, but ultimately fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the seven-game first-round series. Their best games in the regular season showed they can be one of the best teams in the NBA, but their games against those teams showed that they didn’t quite belong.
Because of this, there was a lot of anticipation around the Feb. 5th midseason trade deadline. It felt like the Raptors were just one piece away from climbing into the championship contender echelon, but general manager Bobby Webster chose to mostly stay put with the roster, to the delight of several, including franchise cornerstone Scottie Barnes. However, it was abundantly clear that Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Jakob Poeltl needed to raise their level or else they could be moved this offseason.
Toronto Raptors guard/forward RJ Barrett (9) | David Richard-Imagn Images
The most substantial trade rumor at the deadline swirled around a deal centered around Barrett for Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis. The three-time All-Star was no longer flourishing on the dreadful Kings team and was open to a change of scenery if it meant a better chance to win. It was reported at the deadline that the Kings were interested in the deal, but not if it meant they had to take on Poeltl’s lucrative contract.
ESPN’s Anthony Slater confirmed these reports six months later, while adding a key piece of information. Not only were those details all true, but he also mentioned that Sabonis was informed of the potential deal and explicitly welcomed the idea of being moved to Toronto to join Barnes and Brandon Ingram. Now, with the likelihood of Kawhi Leonard being on the team, the addition of Sabonis could truly push the Raptors into being known as one of the best in the NBA.
There are two issues with a Sabonis for Barrett trade, though. Poeltl didn’t raise his value since the deadline, as he continued to look like a shell of himself as he attempted to recover from missing 24 straight games due to a lower back strain. He was unable to retain the level of physicality and aggression in the paint and on the glass that earned him his contract extension. Because of this, there is no reason for the Kings to all of a sudden change their mind about being comfortable with acquiring him.
Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) and Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (11) | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Simultaneously, Barrett had quite the opposite effect. He began last season playing some of his best basketball before ultimately going down with two separate knee and ankle injuries. He hadn’t been able to find that rhythm again by the trade deadline, but he surely found it as the season wrapped up. He ended the regular season scoring the ball at the best of his abilities and provided even more production in the playoffs. As Ingram battled a heel injury, Barrett took over as the team’s leading scorer and even added a game-winning three-pointer to force Game 7.
Both of these factors make a Sabonis trade more interesting than before. Poeltl or Quickley need to be included to make the salaries match, but perhaps the Kings would be more willing because of how well Barrett finished the season? The Raptors could also be more intrigued because of the rise of backup shooting guard Ja’Kobe Walter; trading Barrett gives him more opportunity alongside three All-Stars. There is no indication that the Kings would want Poeltl yet, but that doesn’t mean by the end of the offseason they’ll have the same feelings.
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Because of this, there was a lot of anticipation around the Feb. 5th midseason trade deadline. It felt like the Raptors were just one piece away from climbing into the championship contender echelon, but general manager Bobby Webster chose to mostly stay put with the roster, to the delight of several, including franchise cornerstone Scottie Barnes. However, it was abundantly clear that Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Jakob Poeltl needed to raise their level or else they could be moved this offseason.
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Toronto Raptors guard/forward RJ Barrett (9) | David Richard-Imagn Images
The most substantial trade rumor at the deadline swirled around a deal centered around Barrett for Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis. The three-time All-Star was no longer flourishing on the dreadful Kings team and was open to a change of scenery if it meant a better chance to win. It was reported at the deadline that the Kings were interested in the deal, but not if it meant they had to take on Poeltl’s lucrative contract.
ESPN’s Anthony Slater confirmed these reports six months later, while adding a key piece of information. Not only were those details all true, but he also mentioned that Sabonis was informed of the potential deal and explicitly welcomed the idea of being moved to Toronto to join Barnes and Brandon Ingram. Now, with the likelihood of Kawhi Leonard being on the team, the addition of Sabonis could truly push the Raptors into being known as one of the best in the NBA.
There are two issues with a Sabonis for Barrett trade, though. Poeltl didn’t raise his value since the deadline, as he continued to look like a shell of himself as he attempted to recover from missing 24 straight games due to a lower back strain. He was unable to retain the level of physicality and aggression in the paint and on the glass that earned him his contract extension. Because of this, there is no reason for the Kings to all of a sudden change their mind about being comfortable with acquiring him.
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Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) and Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (11) | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Simultaneously, Barrett had quite the opposite effect. He began last season playing some of his best basketball before ultimately going down with two separate knee and ankle injuries. He hadn’t been able to find that rhythm again by the trade deadline, but he surely found it as the season wrapped up. He ended the regular season scoring the ball at the best of his abilities and provided even more production in the playoffs. As Ingram battled a heel injury, Barrett took over as the team’s leading scorer and even added a game-winning three-pointer to force Game 7.
Both of these factors make a Sabonis trade more interesting than before. Poeltl or Quickley need to be included to make the salaries match, but perhaps the Kings would be more willing because of how well Barrett finished the season? The Raptors could also be more intrigued because of the rise of backup shooting guard Ja’Kobe Walter; trading Barrett gives him more opportunity alongside three All-Stars. There is no indication that the Kings would want Poeltl yet, but that doesn’t mean by the end of the offseason they’ll have the same feelings.
Continue reading...
