With less than a week to go before the 2026 NBA Draft, it's no surprise that teams around the league are ramping up preparations for the festivities.
In the case of the Toronto Raptors, they have a first-round selection waiting for them at No. 19 and a second-round pick to follow at No. 50.
While it's been stressed how important this No. 19 prospect could be for the developing Raptors core, with a myriad of names circulating as top choices, there has also been chatter of the pick garnering trade interest. In particular, the Sacramento Kings have been tabbed as an potential suitor.
However, a new NBA Draft intel report courtesy of The Stein Line's Jake Fischer presents an intriguing trade partner, if the Toronto Raptors decide to part ways with their 2026 first-rounder. Fischer writes: "New Orleans is actively trying to trade into the first round, sources say, since it only currently holds the No. 58 overall pick."
Confusingly, the Pelicans opted to deal the rights to their unprotected 2026 first-round pick to jump into the lottery last year for an aggressive swing at Derik Queen. New Orleans was far from being looked at as a potential 2025-26 standings riser, akin to say the Portland Trail Blazers, and it showed as the Pels placed with the 11th seed. While Queen would ultimately finish on the All-Rookie Second Team, the deal was questionable then as it is now, with the No. 8 pick now conyeying to the Atlanta Hawks as a result.
Now, New Orleans is in a bit of bind heading into the 2026 NBA Draft as they try to figure out a path to adding a first-round pick. Instead of just picking at the spot that was originally theirs, it’s going to cost them more assets to get back into the draft mix.Â
But the path to get there isn't impossible.Â
Raptors and Pelicans could work out the perfect draft night trade for both sides
New Orleans has tradable player assets that could net a first-round pick, though, the range of selection varies depending on what package they’re willing to throw up. This is where a team like Toronto is primed to be a top option for New Orleans to explore.
The Pelicans have already been mentioned as a potential landing spot for the Raptors’ faltering swingman, Gradey Dick, here on Raptors Rapture before. More recently, I looked at the allure of Toronto possibly targeting young Pelicans big, Yves Missi, drawing off of recent intel reports as well.Â
Once again, linking the Pelicans and Raptors here presents a win-win opportunity for both sides, if a proposed package like the following can be pulled off. We pivot back to both the Dick and Missi discussions, putting together a Toronto package consisting of Dick’s team option (worth about $7.1 million), along with Jonathan Mogbo's remaining one-year rookie $2.2 million salary, and the 19th pick, for Yves Missi, sharpshooter Saddiq Bey, and their 2026 second-round pick at No. 58.Â
Toronto kills two birds here with one stone, finding a possible center for the future in Missi, solving their need for wing depth and shooting versatility in Bey, and netting an additional second-rounder to make up for the first-round pick loss. Sure, you could make the argument Toronto’s pick could be leveraged for a bigger target, but then again, we just saw in the Finals how important it is to build for depth rather than stockpiling star talent.
It has the makings to be a sneaky impactful deal for the Raptors to consider, seeing as a late first-rounder should be a reasonable asking price for the package coming back. Dick and Mogbo may have negative value at present, but in an environment like New Orleans where minutes can go around and development is prioritized — it could just be the new home to unlock any untapped potential remaining.
While for Toronto, both Missi and Bey have shown enough to be considered serviceable rotation pieces on a win-now squad.Â
We shall see if the Raptors and Pelicans can align their efforts before June 23.
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