If it were up to me, I'd hold onto a complimentary piece like Ochai Agbaji for as long as possible, especially considering the Raptors' clear direction to compete next season.
What do competitive teams usually have in abundance on their rosters? Consistent, reliable shooters and strong wing defenders.
And would you look at that—guess who fits that description to a tee? Well, Ochai Agbaji, of course.
While Agbaji could serve as the perfect secret weapon for Toronto, the reality is that he's due for a new contract soon, and I’m not entirely convinced the rising cost Raptors are the team willing to shell out that kind of cash.
If the Raptors find themselves needing to trade this valuable asset, the timing might just work in their favor, allowing them to make the most of a player who, going into the year, arguably had negative value.
Recently, Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report NBA published an article titled "Ranking Mavericks' Top Trade Targets After 2025 NBA Playoff Loss." In it, he identified Agbaji as a top-three candidate for Dallas to consider as a priority for making an impactful addition.
Mavericks named top trade destination for Raptors wing Ochai Agbaji
In his piece, Buckley notes, "Like most modern teams, the Mavs could use more players who can handle multiple defensive assignments on the perimeter and provide off-ball offensive utility as shotmakers and timely cutters."
I think Dallas is on the right track with players like Naji Marshall and Caleb Martin on the roster, but I’d argue they’re still being evaluated as potential candidates for that role and aren’t sure things just yet. Looking at their 3-point shooting percentages this year—27.5% for Marshall and 25% for Martin—it would be wise for Dallas to consider more proven options in that department.
To be fair, Marshall and Martin were quality 3-and-D role players in their previous environments (38.7% for Marshall in New Orleans, 37.9% for Martin in Philadelphia) before coming over to Dallas.
While it's certainly valid to argue that Agbaji could experience a significant fall from grace with the Mavericks, the question remains: if you're a desperate Mavericks front office, would you rather gamble on two wings with uncertain shooting, or secure a target who's proven to be one of the league's premier 3-and-D archetypes?
Even more importantly, as Buckey points out, the Mavericks could count on Agbaji in a starting wing role, given the defensive upgrade he presents for Dallas compared to the struggling veteran Klay Thompson.
Buckley doesn't specify an exact trade package for the Raptors and Mavericks, but it's reasonable to imagine Dallas would focus on flipping young scoring guard Jaden Hardy and some form of draft capital.
I could also see Caleb Martin as a key piece of the deal, but I’m not sure if Toronto would have any interest in the disappointing veteran. Plus, Dallas has already given up a valuable asset in Quentin Grimes to acquire him, so they might want to explore what they can salvage from Martin instead.
The Raptors shouldn't underestimate the value of Agbaji; I’m sure many contending teams around the league will be reaching out to Masai Ujiri this summer to inquire about a potential trade. If the Dallas Mavericks are going all-in for a title push, Agbaji would be the perfect addition to their arsenal. He shoots threes efficiently and excels on defense—what more could you ask for?