The Raptors are once again swirling in the NBA rumor mill, this time linked to a potential blockbuster involving Anthony Davis - a name that still carries weight across the league, even if the tread on his tires is starting to show.
Let’s be clear: whether or not Toronto actually lands Davis isn’t the central issue here. What matters is that they’re in the conversation. And that tells us something about where this franchise sees itself - and what kind of leap it's willing to take.
Davis, now 32, remains one of the league’s top earners and is eligible for yet another extension. His résumé includes multiple All-Star appearances and that 2020 title run with LeBron James in Los Angeles - a championship that cemented his legacy but also marked the last time he was consistently healthy and dominant over a full season.
Since the 2020-21 campaign, Davis has cracked the 60-game mark just once. Injuries have continued to be a frustrating theme, and 2025 has been no exception.
When he’s on the floor, though, his impact is still undeniable. In Dallas, where he landed in that headline-grabbing trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers, Davis has helped keep the Mavericks competitive - even if the team’s overall direction remains murky.
That trade, by the way, didn’t just shake up the Western Conference. It also played a role in the dismissal of Mavs GM Nico Harrison last month, a sign of just how high-stakes that gamble really was.
Now, with Dallas holding the No. 1 overall pick from this year’s draft - used on phenom rookie Cooper Flagg - the front office is scrambling to build a roster around its new cornerstone. But the road ahead is tricky: while the Mavs still own their 2026 first-rounder, they’re without first-round picks for the next four years after that, thanks to previous moves.
Back to the Raptors. Toronto is one of a handful of teams reportedly in the mix for Davis, alongside Detroit and Atlanta.
On paper, the Pistons - currently leading the East - might benefit most from adding a veteran like Davis to a young core that includes Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren. That’s a team with upward momentum and a need for a defensive anchor and experienced voice.
But Toronto's potential fit is intriguing in its own right. Pairing Davis with Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram - two players the Raptors should consider off-limits in any trade talks - would give the team a formidable trio with both youth and pedigree.
Ingram, of course, was once part of the deal that sent Davis to L.A. from New Orleans. The irony of a reunion in Toronto would be rich, but more importantly, it could give the Raptors a path back to relevance.
It’s been a minute since Toronto made noise in the postseason. After drafting Barnes with the fourth overall pick in 2021 - a move that paid off immediately with Rookie of the Year honors - the Raptors made a brief playoff appearance before falling to Philadelphia in six games. Since then, it’s been a slow drift toward the middle of the pack, with no real postseason traction to speak of.
Monday night’s matchup against the Miami Heat kicks off another stretch of evaluation for this Raptors roster. And if the front office is serious about accelerating the timeline, a move for Davis - or even just being in the running - signals a willingness to swing big.
Of course, any deal involving Davis comes with risk. His injury history is well-documented, and the financial commitment would be massive. But when healthy, he’s still a game-changer - a two-way force who can anchor a defense and stretch the floor offensively.
For Toronto, the question isn’t just about Davis. It’s about identity.
Is this a team ready to push chips to the center of the table and chase contention? Or are they still in the mode of slow-build, player development, and asset accumulation?
Being in the mix for a player like Davis doesn’t answer that question outright. But it does suggest the Raptors are at least considering a bold pivot. And in today’s NBA, sometimes being bold is the only way to matter.