The Toronto Raptors are in unfamiliar territory this season - riding a wave of momentum they haven’t felt in years. After a half-decade of searching for direction, they finally look like a team with a real identity, led by the blossoming Scottie Barnes. But if they want to go from “promising” to “legitimately dangerous,” they’ll need to make a move that does more than just tinker around the edges.
That means swinging big. Not just for a rotation piece or a short-term rental, but for a true co-star to pair with Barnes - someone who can change the ceiling of this team.
And if they can shed Jakob Poeltl’s contract in the process? Even better.
The upcoming trade deadline presents that rare kind of chaos where bold front offices can reshape their futures. The Raptors, with the right mix of aggression and timing, could be one of those teams.
So what would that kind of move even look like?
Let’s start with the framework. Toronto would need to target a high-end offensive engine - a player who can create shots, run the offense, and complement Barnes’ all-around game.
But they’d also need to move off Poeltl’s deal and bring back a center who fits better on both ends. That’s a tall order, unless a team with talent to spare is ready to shake things up.
Enter the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cleveland’s “Core Four” experiment - Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen - hasn’t quite delivered the results the franchise hoped for. And with the Cavs sitting in a crowded Eastern Conference middle tier, there’s buzz that they’re open to rebalancing the roster. That opens the door for a three-team deal that could benefit everyone involved.
Here’s how it could go down:
- Toronto sends Brandon Ingram and two first-round picks to Cleveland.
- Cleveland sends Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen to Toronto, and Ochai Agbaji to Detroit.
- Detroit, with cap space to spare, absorbs Agbaji’s contract by sending out a second-round pick.
Let’s unpack this from the Raptors’ perspective.
Yes, moving on from Ingram this quickly would be a surprise. He’s been solid in Toronto, giving them a reliable scoring option and some much-needed halfcourt creation.
But Garland brings something this roster flat-out lacks: elite on-ball creation and playmaking. When healthy, Garland is one of the smoothest operators in the league - a pick-and-roll maestro who can bend defenses and create for others.
Injuries have slowed him the past two seasons, but the upside is still there. Pairing him with Barnes would give Toronto a dynamic duo with serious offensive punch.
Then there’s Jarrett Allen. He’s not just a throw-in here - he’s a major upgrade at the five.
Allen is coming off a 40-point outburst, but his value goes beyond the box score. He’s a defensive anchor who can protect the rim, switch onto smaller players, and clean the glass.
Offensively, he’s a lob threat and finisher who punishes mismatches. He may not stretch the floor, but his vertical gravity adds a different kind of spacing.
And next to Barnes, that inside-out balance could be lethal.
Of course, the Raptors would be giving up a lot. Ingram, plus two first-round picks, is no small price.
But this isn’t a marginal move - it’s a foundational one. Garland and Allen are young, under contract, and fit the timeline of Toronto’s core.
And with RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley already in the fold, the Raptors would suddenly boast one of the most intriguing young lineups in the East.
Imagine a starting five of Garland, Quickley, Barrett, Barnes, and Allen. That’s a group with shot creation, defensive versatility, and a ton of upside.
If they want to lean into defense, they could start Jamal Shead instead of Quickley and still have plenty of firepower. Either way, it’s a lineup that can grow together - and compete now.
This isn’t the kind of move that lands you Giannis Antetokounmpo. But it’s also not the kind of deal that blows up in your face. It’s a calculated swing - one that acknowledges where the Raptors are and where they want to go.
And here’s the truth: with Poeltl’s contract weighing down their books and limiting their flexibility, Toronto isn’t going to find a better deal on the market. This is the kind of opportunity that doesn’t come around often - a chance to add two high-level starters, clean up the cap sheet, and raise the team’s ceiling in one bold move.
If the Raptors want to be more than just a feel-good story this season, this is how they do it.