Next Thursday can’t come soon enough. That’s the day of the 2026 NBA trade deadline, and by then, we’ll have a clear answer: will the Raptors stay put and roll with the punches, or will they make another big splash like they did last year?
One name that’s been rumored in that big splash category is Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis. I’ve been keeping an eye on his fit since this buzz started gaining momentum back in December. If you’ve followed my takes, you’ll know I’m not entirely sold on the idea of a Sabonis trade.
Overall, the fit on the court raises a lot of questions, especially when you consider what it might cost to acquire him. If we're thinking from a Garrett Temple perspective here, Sabonis' personality should do well in the Raptors' locker room. But, I'm looking at things strictly from the perspective of how the team would look in the aftermath.
It seems NBA analyst and draft specialist Sam Vecenie of the Game Theory Podcast shares these sentiments, as he explained in a recent episode (YouTube link here).
Sam Vecenie says Domantas Sabonis doesn't make sense for the Raptors
"[...] The more I think about it, the more I think it doesn't make sense at all. I understand that they need a big [...] they just need size on some level. Like, they're just very small when Poeltl is not in there and I get it. And I understand the idea in terms of what they're thinking of like, "Hey let's go get this amazing screener who can play in dribble handoffs and can you get offensive flow moving for us a little bit better.""Sam Vecenie, Jan 26, 2026
"My issue with this is that the deal would probably have to be structured around either Immanuel Quickley, who is really their only source of three-point volume right now, or RJ Barrett. And the whole reason you're moving Barrett in all likelihood is to create a little bit more space for guys like Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes to be able to operate. I actually don't know that getting Sabonis does that especially for Ingram because Sabonis also really likes to operate in that, like, elbows extended area, let's call it. "Sam Vecenie contd.
After Vecenie shares his thoughts on the Sabonis fit, co-host Bryce Simon chimes in. It’s the same idea: the Raptors would definitely add a talented creator, but if Sabonis doesn’t quite mesh with the system on the floor and things risk falling apart, is there really that much of an offensive upgrade with Sabonis to justify the move? Because, honestly, that’s the core reason you’d even want him — his defense isn’t exactly something to rave about.
Toronto already has a solid defense in place, especially with players like Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles who can cover the areas where Sabonis struggles. It’s a smart insight from the Game Theory guys, who emphasize how crucial Toronto’s defensive identity is — more or less the team's top priority.
But I rewind back to the key point: does adding Sabonis really push Toronto over the top by a wide margin? He’s no Giannis Antetokounmpo, that’s for sure. In fact, those trade talks could involve Toronto's entire future draft collection, and I dare say top names like Brandon Ingram, Collin Murray-Boyles, and even Scottie Barnes could be in the mix.
The Raptors worked hard to reach this point, overcoming early chemistry issues to become the relatively cohesive team we see now on both ends of the floor. Toronto has learned how to maximize Brandon Ingram’s strengths, and they’d likely need to do the same with a player like Domantas Sabonis. However, if Sabonis were to operate in the same areas as Toronto’s remaining stars, it could lead to another awkward overlap — similar to the chatter prior to Brandon Ingram's debut.
I completely get that they might eventually figure things out, but why take that risk when everything is going so smoothly right now?