The NBA trade market is officially on fire, and with the deadline looming, front offices are moving fast - some to push for a playoff run, others to hit the reset button. And Monday brought a flurry of moves that shook up both conferences.
Let’s start out West, where the Memphis Grizzlies made a bold move by sending Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz. Jackson, a former Defensive Player of the Year and cornerstone of Memphis’ identity, now joins a young, intriguing core in Salt Lake City that includes Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen.
For the Jazz, this is a clear signal: they’re not waiting around. They’re accelerating the rebuild and betting on a trio that could grow into something special.
Meanwhile, over in the East, the Chicago Bulls have been anything but quiet. After years of treading water, they’ve decided to shake things up - and in a big way.
Bulls Go Guard-Heavy in Roster Overhaul
First came a three-team deal that sent Kevin Huerter to Detroit and brought Jaden Ivey and veteran point guard Mike Conley to Chicago. That alone would’ve been a headline-grabber.
But the Bulls weren’t done. Not long after, they flipped Nikola Vucevic to Boston in exchange for Anfernee Simons.
So, let’s take stock: in a matter of hours, Chicago added Ivey, Conley, and Simons to a backcourt that already featured Josh Giddey, Coby White, and Ayo Dosunmu. That’s a whole lot of guards - and not a lot of size left up front. With only Jalen Smith and Zach Collins remaining as healthy bigs (and both dealing with injuries), the Bulls are suddenly thin in the frontcourt.
Which brings us to Toronto.
Why the Raptors Should Be Watching Chicago Closely
The Raptors are in a fascinating spot. They're not quite rebuilding, not quite contending - and very much in need of roster balance.
With Immanuel Quickley now running the show, Toronto could use another steady ball-handler in the backcourt. That’s where Chicago’s guard surplus becomes an opportunity.
Both Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu would be intriguing targets for the Raptors - for very different reasons.
Ayo Dosunmu: The Two-Way Fit
Dosunmu brings a lot of what Toronto needs: defensive versatility, secondary playmaking, and a reliable outside shot. He’s hitting nearly 45% from three this season, and his defensive instincts make him a natural fit in a Raptors system that still values switchability and effort on that end.
He’s not a star, but he’s the kind of glue guy who fills gaps - and right now, Toronto has plenty of gaps to fill. Pairing Dosunmu with Quickley would give the Raptors a more balanced backcourt, and allow them to stagger their guards more effectively. Plus, Dosunmu’s still on a team-friendly deal, which matters for a franchise trying to stay under the luxury tax.
Coby White: The Higher Ceiling Play
If Toronto wants to swing bigger, Coby White offers more offensive upside. He’s coming off a breakout campaign that had him in Most Improved Player conversations last season, and he's continued to evolve as a scorer and facilitator. White’s ability to create his own shot and stretch the floor would add a new dimension to Toronto’s offense.
But he’s also due for a new contract soon - and that’s where things get complicated.
The Money Question
Both Dosunmu and White are on affordable deals right now, but what happens this summer? If Toronto’s front office is serious about trimming payroll, adding either player could create some tough decisions down the road.
Are the Raptors willing to pay to keep one of them beyond this season? Or are they simply looking for a rental to stabilize the rotation and take some pressure off Quickley?
There’s also the possibility of a bigger move. If Toronto could convince Chicago to take on Jakob Poeltl’s contract - which hasn’t aged well - they might be able to bring back a piece like Dosunmu and take on Zach Collins’ expiring $18 million deal to make the math work. That kind of deal would likely require draft capital (a first-rounder or multiple seconds), and maybe someone like Ochai Agbaji to balance out the salaries.
It’s a long shot, but it’s the kind of creative thinking that could help Toronto retool on the fly without committing long-term money.
What’s Next?
With the trade deadline just days away, the Raptors have options - and a clear opportunity to address a roster imbalance. Whether it’s Dosunmu’s steady two-way presence or White’s offensive spark, both players could help Toronto stabilize its backcourt rotation and give Quickley a reliable running mate.
The clock’s ticking. Let’s see if the Raptors are ready to make a move - or if they’ll let this window pass them by.