The Toronto Raptors have already made a major splash by bringing back Kawhi Leonard, and that move has pushed them right into the mix in the Eastern Conference. Even so, that doesn’t mean the front office is finished.
Toronto is not in the business of moving core players without a strong reason, but it does have two contracts that stand out as especially useful if another trade opportunity comes along. Those deals belong to RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley.
Barrett is the most valuable trade asset on the roster. He’s in the final year of his contract and is set to count $29.6M against the cap next season. That kind of number makes him appealing for a contender that wants help now but doesn’t want to get boxed into a huge long-term extension.
That doesn’t make Barrett someone the Raptors have to deal. But with an extension decision looming, his future in Toronto comes with some real questions. His value is high right now, which leaves the team weighing whether he’s part of the long-term core or whether this is the moment to cash in.
Quickley brings a different kind of trade value. He’s owed $32.5M in each of the next three seasons, a figure that may look heavy at first glance. But there’s a catch that makes the contract attractive: per Spotrac, he’ll be the 16th highest paid point guard in the NBA next year, and he won’t get a raise for three seasons.
That kind of salary can also be a useful tool in bigger trades. When teams are trying to swing a deal, matching money is often the toughest part, and Quickley’s contract gives Toronto a solid starting-caliber player on a deal that can help make larger moves work.
None of this means the Raptors are actively trying to make another move. Still, having Barrett and Quickley on tradeable contracts gives Toronto flexibility, and that can matter a lot once the trade deadline arrives.
For now, the Raptors appear focused on surrounding their core with veteran leadership like Kyle Anderson. But if the right opportunity shows up, Toronto is in position to act.
In Other News...
Clippers Fans Suddenly Have A Real Reason To Worry About Kawhi
Kawhi Leonards potential return to Toronto has quickly become one of the most intriguing twists of the offseason, with the Raptors agreeing to bring back the former Finals MVP in a deal that would send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and draft compensation to the Clippers. It is the kind of move that instantly changes the conversation around a franchise, especially for a fan base that already knows exactly what Leonard can mean when the stakes rise.
For now, though, the reunion is sitting in limbo while the NBA reviews Leonards salary cap situation. Even with the uncertainty hanging over the transaction, there is still a sense around the deal that both sides expect it to eventually get across the finish line, which is why Torontos interest in Leonard has not cooled despite the delay. [Read more 🡒]
Raptors May Need Summer League To Solve A Problem Fast
If the Kawhi Leonard trade is completed and he signs the expected extension, the Raptors will be staring at a much tighter financial picture than they are used to. That kind of squeeze makes the margins around the roster even smaller, which is why Summer League suddenly matters a lot more than usual. Toronto is trying to build around a projected starting group of Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Leonard, Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl, but the bigger question is how the rest of the team gets filled in without much room to spend.
The concern goes beyond just finding bodies. The Raptors already look thin in the middle, and the injury risk attached to several key pieces only raises the stakes for getting the back end of the roster right. So while Summer League often serves as a development stop, it may also be one of the few real chances Toronto has to identify affordable young players who can handle actual minutes when the season starts. [Read more 🡒]
Raptors Could Lose Another Homegrown Gem For A Brutal Reason
Jamal Shead has already shown why he matters to Toronto, carving out a real role during the 2025-26 season and then taking on even more responsibility in the playoffs. When Immanuel Quickley was injured, Shead started four postseason games, logged heavy minutes and made his presence felt on both ends, the kind of homegrown development the Raptors have long valued.
The problem is that the business side may not line up with the basketball side. Michael Granger noted that Torontos payroll is becoming increasingly top-heavy, and if Kawhi Leonard signs a two-year extension, the Raptors could find themselves with limited flexibility when Shead reaches restricted free agency after the 2026-27 season. Toronto would have the right to match outside offers, but whether it can actually afford to do so is the part that could turn a promising internal success story into a difficult roster decision. [Read more 🡒]