The Toronto Raptors are in the thick of their most promising season in years-currently sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference and just two games out of the No. 2 seed. But as much as their present looks bright, there’s a storm brewing beneath the surface.
Long-term contract concerns and roster construction issues are starting to bubble up, and if Toronto wants to capitalize on this window, they may need to make a bold move. One trade could go a long way in solving multiple problems at once.
Let’s start with the elephant in the room: Jakob Poeltl. The veteran big man is on one of the more burdensome contracts in the league-set to escalate over the next five years-and he hasn’t been able to contribute much this season due to a lingering back injury.
That’s a double whammy: he’s expensive and unavailable. For the Raptors to move him, they’ll need to find a team willing to absorb his long-term deal and accept some form of sweetener to make it worthwhile.
Then there’s Immanuel Quickley. He’s been solid for Toronto, no question.
But his contract, while not as problematic as Poeltl’s, is still a significant cap clogger. It’s big enough to complicate trade talks and limit flexibility.
If Toronto’s front office is eyeing a major shake-up, they’d likely want to include either Poeltl or Quickley. Ideally?
Both.
And there just might be a team out there willing to make that happen.
Enter the New Orleans Pelicans.
New Orleans is in need of a defensive anchor in the middle-someone who can complement Zion Williamson and rookie big man Derik Queen. Poeltl fits that mold, assuming he can get healthy.
The Pelicans also aren’t shy about taking on long-term salary if it fits their roster vision. And they’ve got a contract of their own they wouldn’t mind shedding: Jordan Poole’s.
Poole’s deal is shorter than Quickley’s, but it’s still not exactly team-friendly. Meanwhile, the real prize in this hypothetical trade is Trey Murphy III-a versatile, high-upside wing who’s quietly become one of the most coveted young players in the league.
Toronto and New Orleans have history, too. These two front offices worked together just last season when the Raptors acquired Brandon Ingram at the deadline. So the lines of communication are open, and the framework for a deal could already be in place.
So what might a trade look like?
Toronto sends out Poeltl, Quickley, and Gradey Dick. In return, they get Trey Murphy III and Jordan Poole, plus shed a combined $62 million in future salary commitments.
From New Orleans’ perspective, there’s logic here. They’re near the bottom of the standings and don’t own their first-round pick this year-thanks to a trade that landed them Queen in last year’s draft.
With no incentive to tank, they can afford to think long-term. Taking a flier on Gradey Dick gives them a young shooter with upside.
Quickley’s shooting and playmaking could be a great fit next to rookie Jeremiah Fears, whether as a starter or a sixth man. And Poeltl, if he gets healthy, could be the defensive presence they’ve lacked in the paint.
Add in the fact that Pelicans President Troy Weaver has a known affinity for DMV-area players-and Quickley hails from Maryland-and the pieces start to click.
But what about the Raptors? Should they pull the trigger?
It’s a fair question. Giving up three first-round picks' worth of value (including Dick) for a player who isn’t a top-20 guy might seem steep. But when you break it down, the value adds up.
Trey Murphy is exactly the kind of player modern NBA teams crave: a two-way wing who can guard multiple positions and knock down shots at a high clip. He’s not just a role player-he’s a connector, someone who elevates lineups without needing the ball in his hands. Think Desmond Bane or Mikal Bridges-guys whose impact goes beyond the box score and whose trade value has skyrocketed as a result.
Then there’s the financial angle. Moving both Poeltl and Quickley clears the books in a major way.
By 2028-29, Poeltl and Quickley would be making a combined $62 million. Poole’s deal runs one more year past this season, but it’s manageable.
Meanwhile, Murphy will still be on a bargain deal at $31 million in that same season. That’s a win for cap flexibility.
There’s a short-term cost, no doubt. Trading Poeltl leaves Toronto without a true starting center.
But with him sidelined already, they’ve been navigating that reality for much of the season. They could experiment with RJ Barrett as a point-forward, give Jamal Shead more run, or even slide Poole into a lead guard role.
It’s not a perfect present-day fit, but it’s workable.
And the long-term upside? That’s where this deal really shines.
Shedding two of their most restrictive contracts, adding a high-upside wing in Murphy, and regaining roster flexibility gives the Raptors a clearer path forward. They’d avoid having to make a tough decision on Gradey Dick’s future, open up a roster spot, and distance themselves from the risk of Poeltl’s injury becoming a long-term issue.
This isn’t a slam-dunk trade. But it’s one that checks a lot of boxes.
**Immediate improvement? Possibly.
Future flexibility? Definitely.
A path to building around Scottie Barnes, Ingram, and Murphy? Now we’re talking.
**
Sometimes the best trades aren’t the flashiest-they’re the ones that quietly solve multiple problems at once. For the Raptors, this could be that kind of move.