The Toronto Raptors have been one of the NBA’s more pleasant surprises this season. They've outpaced expectations and, notably, handled the Cleveland Cavaliers with authority - sweeping the season series against them. But as we head into the stretch run, Toronto’s front office might be flirting with a move that could undo some of that momentum.
Right now, both the Raptors and Cavaliers sit at 29-20, neck and neck in the Eastern Conference standings. But the recent trend lines tell two different stories.
Cleveland has won eight of its last 10 and 11 of its last 15 overall - a team finding its rhythm. Toronto, meanwhile, is 6-4 in its last 10 and 9-6 over that same 15-game stretch.
Solid, but not exactly surging.
One area that’s clearly holding the Raptors back? The center position.
Jakob Poeltl’s absence due to injury has left a noticeable hole in the middle, and Toronto’s been trying to patch it together ever since. That’s where Domantas Sabonis comes into the conversation - again.
According to multiple reports, including one from Michael Scotto, the Raptors have maintained interest in Sabonis dating back to last summer. He’s also been linked to the Wizards, Suns, and Bulls, but Toronto’s name keeps coming up. The fit, however, remains questionable.
Let’s be clear: Sabonis is a talented player. He’s a gifted passer, a strong rebounder, and he can be a focal point of an offense.
But this Raptors team isn’t lacking in playmaking or offensive versatility - especially with Scottie Barnes continuing to evolve as a two-way leader. What they need is defensive stability at the five.
That’s not exactly Sabonis’ calling card.
Defensively, Sabonis has struggled. He’s not the rim protector or switchable big that Toronto’s defensive scheme thrives on. Inserting him into the mix could disrupt the identity the Raptors have built on that end - an identity largely anchored by Barnes’ ability to quarterback the defense.
Then there’s the contract. Sabonis is on the books for $42.3 million this season, $42.5 million next, and a hefty $48.6 million in 2027-28. That’s a major financial commitment for a player whose impact - especially on this particular roster - might not justify the price tag.
All of this is music to the Cavaliers’ ears. Cleveland has quietly climbed out of an early-season slump and is now firmly in the mix with Boston, New York, and Toronto in the East’s second tier. If the Raptors miscalculate and make a move that disrupts their chemistry or weakens their defense, it opens the door for the Cavs to leapfrog them in the standings - and potentially stay there.
The Raptors have built something real this season, even if it’s still a work in progress. But the next move - especially one involving a high-priced, low-defense big like Sabonis - could be the difference between cementing their rise or stumbling just as the playoff picture comes into focus.