It's always so topsy-turvy whenever the Toronto Raptors find themselves thrust into trade conversations for a noteworthy star.
For a while, it was Giannis Antetokounmpo, who seemed poised to pack his bags for Toronto sooner rather than later. But for now, it appears that was all just smoke and mirrors.
Turning the attention now to another potential star on the move, Kevin Durant.
The Raptors, though not listed among the favorites in the odds, have been described as a team willing to force themselves into those sweepstakes one way or another. Masai Ujiri certainly has a knack for positioning his franchise within star trade conversations — though, of course, for the right price.
As Jake Fischer mentioned in the June 16 edition of his "The People's Insider" column for Marc Stein's Substack, Toronto has a couple of players on its roster that they wouldn't mind trading if it results in a significant team improvement. Here's what the NBA insider to say:
"Sources say that the Raptors would be willing to part with either RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley for a significant roster upgrade. SeveralJake Fischer
league figures with knowledge of the Raptors' thinking have likewise asserted that they could show a willingness to move center Jakob Poeltl as well ... provided that the trade in question brought back Durant."
The mentions of RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl are no surprise at all, as I had immediately assumed that combo would headline a potential KD package. However, seeing Immanuel Quickley mentioned adds a bit more mystique to the possibility of the Raptors facing an imminent move this summer.
Raptors could offload Immanuel Quickley if it means they add a star
I didn't necessarily think Quickley was untouchable, but I viewed him more as a focal point for the long-term roster construction — more so than, say, Jakob Poeltl, who has played an equally important role within this core.
I continue to hold my stocks in anticipation of an eventual Quickley breakout, but I’d be lying if I said that his ability to stay healthy and the value of his costly extension haven’t raised some obvious red flags. In a recent article, I even explored some alternative point guard options that could serve as suitable replacements for IQ for the Raptors. My top trade candidate was Cavaliers standout Darius Garland, especially if Cleveland considers tweaking its core in the future.
I think this development adds another layer to the Raptors' offseason lore, as it seems likely that Toronto will focus on its Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram duo. At the same time, they are exploring—though not conclusively set—trades for their other starters like Barrett, Poeltl, and Quickley.
I'd still like to see what Quickley can do in a healthy year, but if he largely proves to be a dud, the Raptors are playing a seriously risky game with his handling. Perhaps they're just preparing now to let him loose for a better upgrade before it's too late.