As the NBA trade deadline looms on February 5, the Toronto Raptors are quietly becoming one of the more intriguing teams to watch - not necessarily because they’re chasing a blockbuster, but because they might be in a position to land one. According to league insider Zach Lowe, there’s a real path for the Raptors to make a move for Dallas Mavericks big man Anthony Davis.
Yes, that Anthony Davis.
Now, before we get ahead of ourselves, this isn’t a done deal - far from it. But Lowe laid out a framework that could actually work from a financial and roster-building standpoint. The question is: would Dallas bite?
“You could make an easy trade with the Raptors,” Lowe said on The Zach Lowe Show. “I just don’t know what the appeal would be for the Mavericks.”
Here’s the proposal: Brandon Ingram and Jakob Poeltl head to Dallas, with Dwight Powell likely returning to Toronto to make the salaries align. On paper, it’s a clean match.
Davis is on a max deal, and both Ingram and Poeltl combine to cover that number almost exactly. That’s crucial, especially with Dallas operating over the luxury tax line.
Toronto, meanwhile, is just a shade over the tax and would probably welcome the opportunity to dip below it.
So why would the Mavericks even consider this? That’s the million-dollar question.
Ingram brings scoring and shot creation, and Poeltl offers size and rim protection - two areas where Dallas could use reinforcements. But Davis, even with his injury history, remains one of the league’s premier two-way players.
Trading him would be a seismic shift for a team that’s trying to contend in the West.
From Toronto’s side, the appeal is obvious. Pairing Davis with Scottie Barnes gives the Raptors a dynamic frontcourt duo that could anchor both ends of the floor. Davis brings championship experience, elite defense, and a level of star power the Raptors have lacked since Kawhi Leonard’s brief but glorious stint.
But this might not be the only big swing Toronto is considering. Another name to keep an eye on - especially as we approach the offseason - is Memphis Grizzlies All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr.
“This is a team that could wait until the offseason to make their big move,” said one league analyst. “Maybe they make some small-margin moves around the trade deadline.
They dip below the tax. They address their frontcourt.”
Jackson is a fascinating option. He’s a versatile big who can stretch the floor, protect the rim, and defend multiple positions. And while Memphis has reportedly made it clear they want to build around him if they move on from Ja Morant, that plan only works if Jackson is fully on board with being the centerpiece of a rebuild.
That’s where things get interesting. If Jackson wants to win now - and not wait through a slow rebuild - Toronto could present an appealing alternative.
The Raptors are still building around Barnes, but they’ve shown a willingness to be aggressive when the right opportunity presents itself. If Jackson becomes available, expect Masai Ujiri and the front office to at least make a call.
For now, the Raptors are straddling the line between retooling and contending. They’ve got the contracts, the assets, and the flexibility to make something happen - whether it’s a splash like Davis, a longer-term play for Jackson, or a smaller move to clean up the books and set the stage for summer.
Either way, February 5 is coming fast. And the Raptors are a team to watch.