All eyes are on the Toronto Raptors as the 2026 NBA trade deadline nears. Having sustained a postseason level of play throughout the first half of the 2025-26 regular season, many are wondering if Toronto will move to improve its rotation in hopes of a deep postseason run.
If that ultimately proves to be the case, then speculation exists that RJ Barrett will be the player the Raptors move—a possibility that could bring franchise great DeMar DeRozan back to Toronto.
While the Raptors are thriving at 28-19, the Kings have been far less fortunate at 12-34. To make matters worse, with a veteran-heavy roster, all signs point to Sacramento lacking upward mobility. That seemingly puts them in the market for under-25 players who can improve the long-term outlook.
Barrett seemingly checks that box as a crafty 24-year-old wing who just so happens to have been drafted by current Kings general manager Scott Perry.
With this in mind, there's a realistic possibility that the Kings could at least touch base on a potential trade for Barrett. Fuel has been added to that fire by rumors that the Raptors are interested in acquiring Sacramento big man Domantas Sabonis.
If the Kings are unwilling to trade Sabonis, however, a trade could still be executed that sees Toronto bring DeRozan back to the team that drafted him, along with coveted 3-and-D wing Keon Ellis.
It's far from guaranteed to transpire, but the Raptors should at least consider floating this offer to the Kings as they weigh their options for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
RJ Barrett for DeMar DeRozan and Keon Ellis could help both teams
Barrett has turned in a strong 2025-26 season that's gone under-appreciated on multiple levels. He's averaging 19.2 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists on .494/.341/.682 shooting and has selflessly embraced a less prominent offensive role in light of Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes emerging as the team's go-to players.
If the Raptors come to the conclusion that Barrett isn't the ideal fit, however, then a trade for DeRozan and Ellis could make sense.
DeRozan is 36, but he's still one of the best in the NBA at what he does. He's averaging 18.9 points, 3.9 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game while converting 50.6 percent of his field goals. He's also shooting a career-best 35.4 percent from beyond the arc on 2.1 attempts per game.
If DeRozan is willing to operate as the Raptors' sixth man, he could experience a remarkable proverbial homecoming that sees him help elevate the team to an even higher tier.
The truth about this trade, however, is that Ellis is the big acquisition. Some might question if the Kings would be willing to accept Barrett for both DeRozan and a coveted talent like Ellis, who reportedly has roughly 10 potential suitors, but the Raptors have leverage in this deal by taking back the $25,740,000 DeRozan is owed in 2026-27.
Perhaps the Raptors would need to include a first-round pick, but if that proves to be the case, they could also ask for more in return.
With Ellis in the fold, the Raptors could begin the process of replacing struggling wing Ochai Agbaji with another athletic 3-and-D specialist. Ellis' playing time has been baffling in 2025-26, but he's a career 41.5 percent shooter from beyond the arc who ranked in the 98th percentile in perimeter isolation defense in 2024-25, per Basketball Index.
With a top-tier 3-and-D specialist and a franchise great coming back to Toronto, the Raptors could push on toward the playoffs with realistically ambitious dreams of a deep run.