The Toronto Raptors are putting together a core of players who could hopefully bring success back to the franchise after a multi-year rebuilding process has fans feeling burnt out with the team. The only time they had a top-five pick in the last five years was when they drafted Scottie Barnes, their franchise cornerstone. Outside of that, the team has been a fringe lottery team playing with average odds.
They chose to not land excess draft picks when they traded away OG Anunoby last season, prioritizing winning players such as RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. While both players are starter caliber, neither has improved the Raptors’ winning fortunes in any way. This might be why the Raptors considered listening to offers for Barrett on the market to see what they could get.
Barrett is averaging 21.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.7 assists this season. If their potential interest in moving Barrett lasts until the summer, these could be three potential destinations interested in the 24-year-old Canadian.
New Orleans Pelicans
Potential Trade
Pelicans Receive: RJ Barrett
Raptors Receive: CJ McCollum, Jordan Hawkins, 2026 First-Round Pick (IND). 2030 Second-Round Pick (NOLA), 2031 Second-Round Pick (TOR)
The Raptors had reportedly offered Barrett to the Pelicans in the trade for Brandon Ingram, but the Pelicans preferred short-term contracts instead to have additional future flexibility. It might have also been a move to secure their tank, as Barrett joining the franchise as Zion Williamson gets healthy could’ve led to more wins than the team wanted in a tanking season.
After the Pelicans have clarity on their 2025 draft situation, they could make a move for Barrett to return to winning ways. CJ McCollum is averaging 21.7 points and would be a great expiring contract veteran for the Raptors or a potential future trade asset. Jordan Hawkins is averaging 10.9 points as a high-potential young guard.
Giving up a first and two seconds would be a decent cost, as the Pelicans can run out a roster with Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, and Trey Murphy around the reunited college duo of Zion and Barrett.
Miami Heat
Potential Trade
Heat Receive: RJ Barrett
Raptors Receive: Andrew Wiggins, 2025 First-Round Pick (GSW). 2029 First-Round Pick (MIA)
The Miami Heat are in an interesting position after giving up Jimmy Butler in the winter under duress to the Golden State Warriors. They had to give Butler up on a discount and are now stuck with multiple players on their roster who can’t replicate the high-level all-around production that Butler gave the team across multiple positions.
While Barrett isn’t as proficient as Butler, he can replicate the production we saw from Butler, especially in the last few regular seasons. He’s still 24 years old and ascending, so Heat Culture could beat on themselves to extract the maximum out of him. Putting him in a backcourt alongside Tyler Herro would be a great move and make the team far more dynamic than it is right now with a 3-and-D forward like Andrew Wiggins.
Wiggins is averaging 17.6 points and 4.6 rebounds on the season despite a midseason trade. He could return home to Canada and experience a career resurgence in the right circumstances.
The Warriors pick is expected to convey outside the lottery in 2025, and the Heat have enough ascendant talents to be in a solid position four years from now to control the value of the pick they give out.
Utah Jazz
Potential Trade
Jazz Receive: RJ Barrett
Raptors Receive: John Collins, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL). 2028 First-Round Pick (CLE/UTA)
The Utah Jazz would be an extremely compelling destination for Barrett. Not only is it out of left field, it could indicate a desire by the franchise to return to competitive ways. They can take a low-risk swing on a talent like Barrett given their spoil of assets and see if he can lead them to a Playoff run alongside Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, and the barrage of developing young stars.
The Jazz haven’t landed a signature blue-chip prospect to build around, hoping that player joins in the 2025 Draft. If that happens, Barrett could be the first major move to revert to winning for a franchise that was once a Playoff regular.
Barrett at 24 years old can still grow with this core while leading them to success right now alongside Markkanen, who’s already on a long-term contract.
John Collins is averaging 18.6 points and 8.2 rebounds this season. He’d be a great frontcourt addition for the Raptors next season, spacing the floor alongside Jakob Poeltl and the dynamic forward Scottie Barnes. It would help the Raptors take a slight step towards contention but with greater assets than they did before and an enhanced role for emerging sophomore Gradey Dick.
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