Immanuel Quickley Shines as Raptors Explore Trade Options, Injury Updates Cloud Rotation
With the NBA trade deadline inching closer, the Toronto Raptors appear to be doing their due diligence - and Immanuel Quickley just gave them a whole lot more to think about. The 24-year-old guard, acquired earlier this season, erupted for a career-high-tying 40 points in Tuesday’s win over the Warriors, putting on a shooting clinic that could very well boost his value on the trade market.
Quickley was nearly flawless, going 11-of-13 from the field and drilling 7-of-8 from beyond the arc. He added 10 assists for good measure, anchoring a Raptors offense that had been stuck in neutral lately and helping it explode for 145 points. That kind of efficiency - especially coming off a brief absence due to back spasms - is hard to ignore.
“Yeah, I felt a little bit better,” Quickley said postgame. “But it was just the mindset.
I told a couple of the guys, just have the mindset to come out and be aggressive. The game is more like 70 or 80 percent mental than it is (physical).
Just have the mindset to go out and aggressively dominate.”
That aggressive mindset paid off in a big way. Quickley looked every bit the lead guard, orchestrating the offense with poise and confidence. He’s been mostly healthy this season after being limited to just 33 games last year, and performances like this remind teams of his scoring punch and playmaking upside.
Still, there’s a financial layer to consider. Quickley is under contract for $97.5 million over the next three years - a deal that could make some front offices hesitate, especially those looking for short-term flexibility. But for teams in need of a dynamic backcourt presence, he’s proving he can deliver.
Injury Updates: Barrett Nearing Return, Murray-Boyles Under Evaluation, Poeltl Seeks Specialist
While Quickley’s star turn stole the spotlight, the Raptors are still navigating a string of injuries that continue to test their depth.
RJ Barrett is inching closer to a return after missing his seventh straight game Tuesday night in Sacramento due to a sprained ankle. There’s optimism he could be back on the floor as soon as Friday in Portland or Sunday in Oklahoma City. It’s been a frustrating stretch for Barrett, who has appeared in just six games over the past two months due to both ankle and knee issues.
“Yeah, it’s annoying, us losing some games and seeing, ‘man, I could have helped us here,’ you know,” Barrett said before Tuesday’s game. “So, I’m just trying to be patient, to make sure that I can come back and be myself and really help us.”
The Raptors could certainly use his scoring and physicality on the wing, especially with the rotation in flux.
Rookie big man Collin Murray-Boyles is also being monitored closely after exiting Sunday’s game following a hit to his already-injured left thumb. X-rays came back negative, but the team said Tuesday that he’s undergoing further evaluation.
Despite being thrust into a starting role due to frontcourt injuries, Murray-Boyles has held his own, averaging 10.6 points and 7.8 rebounds while providing solid interior defense over nine starts. His energy and toughness have been a pleasant surprise, and the Raptors will be hoping the thumb issue doesn’t sideline him for long.
Meanwhile, veteran center Jakob Poeltl continues to deal with a lower back strain. He’s returned to Toronto and is scheduled to see a back specialist on Thursday.
Poeltl has been limited to just 21 games this season and has played only once - briefly - since mid-December. His absence has left a significant void in the paint, especially on the defensive end.
What’s Next for Toronto?
Between Quickley’s breakout, Barrett’s impending return, and the uncertainty surrounding key frontcourt players, the Raptors are at a crossroads. They’ve shown flashes of potential, but the injuries and ongoing trade chatter have made it tough to build consistent momentum.
If Quickley is indeed on the trade block, his timing couldn’t have been better. Performances like Tuesday’s don’t just make headlines - they make decisions harder. Whether Toronto sees him as a long-term piece or a valuable trade chip, he’s forcing the front office to take a closer look.
In the meantime, the Raptors will try to stay afloat in a competitive Eastern Conference, hoping to get healthy - and maybe, just maybe, find some clarity as the trade deadline approaches.