The Toronto Raptors are in the market for a big name ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline. It's a seemingly reasonable takeaway following a recent report that Toronto has been exploring the market and reaching out to teams about virtually every high-profile player to have surfaced on the rumor mill.
Though the Raptors are wise to engage in exploratory talks for any player they're even remotely intrigued by, it's fair to question if they're too fixated on name value.
Toronto has cleared the midway point of the 2025-26 regular season sitting comfortably above .500 at 25-17. Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram are making strong cases for All-Star recognition in leading roles, but the Raptors appear set on creating something of a big three.
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Raptors have already pursued Anthony Davis, Domantas Sabonis, and Trae Young, and could reach out about Ja Morant.
"The Raptors are the only other known team beyond Washington to express any meaningful interest in Trae Young before he was dealt to the Wizards, have pursued both Dallas' Anthony Davis and Sacramento's Domantas Sabonis ... and I've also been advised to keep an eye on them when it comes to Memphis' Ja Morant."
While it's understandable for the Raptors to be interested in four of the most talented players in the NBA, the emphasis on star power is bordering on irrational..
Raptors linked to Anthony Davis, Ja Morant, Domantas Sabonis, Trae Young
Perhaps one of the aforementioned trade targets, or even another star entirely, could put the Raptors over the top. Barnes is one of the best two-way players in the NBA, Ingram is closing out wins on a long-term contract, and the depth in Toronto is unavoidably intriguing.
One simply can't help but wonder if going all-in on a star is a necessary move—particularly when there are red flags to consider.
Davis and Morant have unfortunately developed reputations as injury-prone players due to their consistent availability issues. Young, meanwhile, was traded for pennies on the dollar compared to what his market value used to be, although that may explain Toronto's interest.
The Washington Wizards acquired Young, a four-time All-Star, for Corey Kispert and CJ McCollum—a package Toronto could've conceivably matched in value without losing much of its rotation.
Sabonis is something of an outlier as a two-time All-NBA honoree who had been consistently healthy and available prior to the 2025-26 season. He may even prove to be an ideal target for Toronto. Pursuing a trade, however, must be contingent upon coming to an absolute determination about his or any other star's fit.
Talent simply isn't enough, and if the rumors are indicative of the Raptors' general approach, then their endless pursuit of a star could ultimately prove too risky to endorse.