The Toronto Raptors have always been willing to take big swings in trades, whether bringing back talent to build for the future or giving it away to pursue a championship.
Two seasons ago, Toronto dealt OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, forming the young core that has powered it to a playoff position in the Eastern Conference this year. In 2018, the Raptors traded franchise icon DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard, who ultimately led them to the first championship in franchise history.
In 2025-26, Toronto appears to be in the market to do the latter, and Anthony Davis is a possible target, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. A potential package the Raptors could send to the Dallas Mavericks for the 10-time All-Star is laid out in a new article from ESPN’s NBA insiders.
A trade for Davis would give the big man a new home on a contender and the Raptors a true superstar, their first since Leonard left in free agency for the Los Angeles Clippers in the summer of 2019. But it would certainly be costly for Toronto.
Toronto Raptors Anthony Davis Trade Idea
Barrett and Jakob Poeltl would have to be included in the trade, to entice Dallas and create enough salary cap space for the incoming Davis. Additionally, a third team would have to get involved to complete the deal.
Here’s the full trade idea laid out:
- Raptors receive: F Anthony Davis, C Tony Bradley
- Mavericks receive: F RJ Barrett, C Jakob Poeltl, G Ochai Agbaji, F Jarace Walker, 2026 first-round pick (via Raptors), 2027 first-round pick (via Pacers, top-14 protected)
- Pacers receive: C Daniel Gafford
“The cleanest way for the Raptors to match Davis’ salary is to package Barrett and Poeltl, thereby taking a hit on the wing while improving at the center position,” the insiders wrote. “From Dallas’ perspective, the former is still just 25 years old and could fit as a nice long-term performer next to [Cooper] Flagg, while the latter is a valuable if expensive big man who would give Dallas another option at center with Dereck Lively II.”
The insiders also believe there would have to be valuable draft picks involved to get this deal over the finish line. That’s where the Indiana Pacers come in, as they look to acquire a center to replace Myles Turner, who departed for the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency this summer.
“[The Pacers] join the party, swapping a lottery-protected pick for [Daniel] Gafford. The rim-running Gafford could team up with stretch big Jay Huff in a versatile center rotation in Indiana,” the insiders wrote.
Toronto Raptors Need RJ Barrett To Get Healthy
Any deal for Davis (or not, depending on if the Raptors believe the asking price is too high), likely depends on Barrett returning to the starting lineup and playing well. The Mississauga, Ontario native has been out since November 23, when he sprained his right knee in a game against the Brooklyn Nets. Barrett received an injection in his knee on Monday, December 8, delaying his return for at least another week.
Before the injury, Barrett was averaging 19.6 points, five rebounds and 3.9 assists on 50.6% shooting from the field and 35.6% shooting from beyond the arc. During his roughly two and half seasons with Toronto, he has been a highly effective all-around player, averaging 21 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game while shooting 49.8% from the field and 36.1% from three.
Barrett’s next chance to suit up will be on Monday, December 15, when the Raptors travel to play the Miami Heat.
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