As the NBA trade winds begin to swirl with the deadline inching closer, the Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings are two teams worth keeping an eye on. A new report has linked Raptors forward RJ Barrett to the Kings in a scenario that could also involve Sacramento’s All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis. While there’s no deal on the table yet, the pieces being discussed-and the history between the decision-makers-make this a situation to watch.
Let’s start with the Raptors. Toronto has been active in monitoring the trade market for frontcourt upgrades, and Sabonis is reportedly one of the names they’ve shown interest in dating back to the summer.
That interest hasn’t gone away. The Raptors have consistently looked for opportunities to land high-impact talent, and Sabonis, when healthy, fits that bill.
He’s not just a stat-sheet stuffer-he’s a tone-setter on both ends of the floor.
Sabonis, 29, has been a cornerstone for the Kings when he’s been available. This season, he’s averaging 17.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 51 percent from the field.
He’s logging 33.2 minutes a night, anchoring Sacramento’s interior on both ends. But the Kings have been reeling since he went down with a partial meniscus tear in mid-November.
Before his injury, Sacramento was 3-11. Since then, they’ve slipped to 6-20, including a recent 117-103 loss to the Timberwolves.
That skid has only amplified questions about the Kings’ long-term direction and whether a shake-up could be in play.
Sabonis is in the second year of a four-year, $186 million deal, making $42.3 million this season. That kind of contract isn’t easy to move, and any trade would require serious salary matching-something that brings RJ Barrett into the conversation.
Barrett, 25, is in his second full season with the Raptors and has quietly been one of their most consistent offensive weapons. He’s putting up 19.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 35.6 percent from deep.
Those are strong numbers for a wing who can create his own shot and defend multiple positions. Before going down with a right knee sprain on Nov.
23, Barrett had been a key cog in Toronto’s rotation, playing 30.9 minutes per game.
Even without him, the Raptors have managed to stay afloat. They’ve gone from 12-5 to 16-11, snapping a four-game losing streak with a 106-96 win over the Miami Heat on Monday. That kind of resilience only strengthens their case as a team that could be one piece away from making some real noise in the East.
Barrett is in the third year of a four-year, $107 million rookie extension he signed with the Knicks back in 2022. He’s making $27.7 million this season and is under contract through 2026-27. That makes him not only a valuable on-court contributor but also a logical trade piece from a cap perspective.
There’s also a connection that could grease the wheels if talks between the two teams pick up. Kings general manager Scott Perry is the same executive who drafted Barrett when he was with the Knicks, and by all accounts, he remains a fan of the player. That familiarity could play a role if Sacramento decides to revisit trade talks involving Sabonis.
Meanwhile, the Raptors’ interest in Sabonis tracks with previous reporting that linked them to other high-profile bigs like Anthony Davis. Toronto’s front office has never been shy about swinging big when the opportunity presents itself, and the current roster-competitive but not quite elite-could be primed for a bold move.
Both teams are heading into pivotal matchups. Toronto wraps up a two-game road trip Thursday against the Milwaukee Bucks before heading home to face the Boston Celtics. Sacramento, looking to snap a three-game losing streak, will face the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night, then again on Saturday to open a four-game homestand.
As the trade deadline looms, this is the kind of situation that could evolve quickly. The Raptors want to level up their frontcourt.
The Kings may need to recalibrate. And RJ Barrett and Domantas Sabonis are two names that could headline a deal that changes the trajectory for both franchises.