The NBA trade market just sent another jolt through the league - and this one could have ripple effects well beyond Salt Lake City. The Memphis Grizzlies have officially moved on from Jaren Jackson Jr., sending the former Defensive Player of the Year to the Utah Jazz in a blockbuster deal that’s already raising eyebrows. But while the Jazz and Grizzlies dominate the headlines, there’s a team north of the border that should be paying very close attention: the Toronto Raptors.
Why? Because the return Memphis got for Jackson - a two-time All-Star, three-time All-Defense selection, and two-time blocks leader - might just reset the market for elite big men. And that could open the door for Toronto to make a serious run at Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis.
Let’s break this down.
The Jackson Deal: A Market-Changer?
First, the trade details. Memphis sent Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale, and Vince Williams Jr. to Utah. In return, the Grizzlies received Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, and three future first-round picks.
That’s a solid haul - but not the kind of king’s ransom many expected for a 26-year-old frontcourt anchor who’s just now entering his prime. Jackson’s defensive résumé speaks for itself, and he’s added enough scoring punch to be considered a legitimate two-way threat. So when the return package looks more like a blend of promising youth, rotation vets, and draft capital - rather than a blue-chip, franchise-altering deal - it sends a message to the rest of the league.
And that message? You might not have to empty the asset cupboard to land an All-Star center.
What This Means for Toronto and Sabonis
Enter the Raptors, who’ve been circling the idea of acquiring a frontcourt star for some time. Domantas Sabonis, a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection, has long been viewed as a potential target. He’s a high-IQ, high-production big who can anchor an offense with his passing and footwork, and he’s been a double-double machine for years.
But there’s nuance here. Sabonis, while still highly productive, turns 30 in May and has been dealing with injuries throughout the 2025-26 season.
That adds a layer of uncertainty to any trade conversation. Compare that to Jackson, who’s four years younger and has a cleaner bill of health this season, and it’s fair to wonder whether Sabonis would even command more than Jackson on the open market.
Which brings us back to Toronto. If Memphis only needed to part with Jackson for a package centered around picks and role players, the Raptors might be able to put together a similar offer - and still keep their core rotation intact.
The Blueprint Is There
Toronto has the draft capital. They’ve got intriguing young players who, like Walter Clayton Jr. in the Jazz deal, aren’t full-time starters but carry upside. And while matching Sabonis’ $42.3 million salary for 2025-26 won’t be easy, the Jackson trade showed that creativity - and the right mix of assets - can get a deal done.
The key takeaway? Draft picks are currency again.
And in a league where teams are increasingly hesitant to part with their top-tier young talent, that matters. If the Kings are open to retooling or reshaping their roster, the Raptors could find themselves in position to make a real offer without sacrificing their long-term trajectory.
A Changing Market for Big Men?
It’s too early to say if the Jackson deal is a one-off or the start of a trend, but it certainly raises the question: Are All-Star centers being slightly undervalued in today’s trade market? If so, Toronto could be in the right place at the right time.
The Raptors have been stuck in the middle - not quite rebuilding, not quite contending - and a move for Sabonis could tilt them in one direction. If the price is right, and if the Jackson trade truly lowered the bar, then Toronto has every reason to test the waters.
Because if the Jazz can land a 26-year-old Defensive Player of the Year for a package that didn’t include a single All-Star or top-10 pick, then maybe the Raptors can do the same - and finally land the frontcourt star they’ve been chasing.