The Sacramento Kings may be counting down to Christmas, but it’s the Toronto Raptors who are looking to unwrap something big before the NBA trade deadline - and Domantas Sabonis might be the centerpiece of that holiday wish list.
According to league insider Jake L. Fischer, Toronto isn’t just window shopping when it comes to Sabonis.
The Raptors are reportedly showing real interest in the Kings’ All-Star big man, and they’re not stopping there. The team is also eyeing Anthony Davis, the 2020 NBA champion who made headlines last year with a blockbuster trade to the Dallas Mavericks.
Let’s take a step back and look at what this means.
Toronto sits third in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the red-hot Detroit Pistons and the surging New York Knicks. With a 16-11 record, the Raptors are firmly in the playoff mix - but it’s clear they’re thinking bigger. Adding Sabonis, a three-time All-Star known for his elite rebounding, playmaking from the high post, and physical interior presence, would be a major boost to a frontcourt that’s already shown flashes of potential.
Now, throw Anthony Davis into the mix - a perennial All-NBA talent who’s still a game-changer on both ends of the floor - and suddenly the Raptors aren’t just playoff hopefuls. They’re a team with legitimate Finals aspirations.
This isn’t just about adding talent - it’s about reshaping the identity of the franchise. Toronto hasn’t made a serious postseason push since the Kawhi Leonard-led title run in 2019. Bringing in Sabonis and Davis would be a clear signal from the front office that the Raptors are ready to return to that level of contention.
Sabonis had previously been linked to the Bulls, Wizards, and Suns as a potential trade target, but Toronto’s emergence as a suitor adds a new layer of intrigue. The Raptors have the assets and the motivation - and if they’re willing to make a bold move, they could change the power balance in the East.
Meanwhile, in Sacramento, the Kings are dealing with their own set of challenges. Zach LaVine, who’s been the subject of ongoing trade rumors himself, is now sidelined with a moderate left ankle sprain.
The team says he’ll be reevaluated in a week, but the timing couldn’t be worse. LaVine left a recent game early after scoring just 10 points, and the Kings let a late fourth-quarter lead slip away - marking their 20th loss of the season and their third straight defeat.
For a team that’s been trying to find its rhythm, LaVine’s absence adds another layer of uncertainty. And with Sabonis potentially on the move, Sacramento could be headed for a significant shake-up of its own.
The trade deadline is still weeks away, but the Raptors are already making it clear: they’re not content with being good - they want to be great. And if they can land Sabonis, or even swing for the fences with both him and Davis, the Eastern Conference playoff picture could look very different come February.