The Toronto Raptors may not be done making big moves. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the team is expected to operate as a buyer ahead of the 2026 trade deadline, and former lottery pick RJ Barrett could be the piece they dangle to get a deal done. Per Fischer, Barrett (who is owed nearly $60 million over the next two years) was already floated in the team’s trade talks with the New Orleans Pelicans, and there’s a strong chance his name comes up again.
“RJ Barrett is certainly a name that I would tell you and tell Raptors fans to be on the lookout as a potential trade candidate going out the door with his $30 million in salary,” Fischer said.
Barrett, 25, has only been with the Raptors for two seasons, but his time in Toronto may be coming to an end. They tried to move him earlier this year in exchange for Brandon Ingram, but they ended up sending a package of Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, and multiple draft picks.
“He was someone that the Raptors discussed with the Pelicans in that Brandon Ingram trade conversation,” Fischer added. “Barrett’s representation is fully aware that he could be discussed in trade moving forward for the Raptors.”
With Barrett, Ingram, and Quickley, the Raptors have a solid and talented core going into next season, but it remains to be seen how it stacks up to their Eastern competitors. In the 2024-25 campaign, they went 30-52 to finish 11th in the standings. It was far below expectations, and once the season ended, the ownership started making changes right away.
The first order of business was firing former President Masai Ujiri, who became the scapegoat for their troubled situation. He was blamed for making a “Hail Mary” trade for Ingram that ultimately handicapped their cap flexibility.
Next, they’ll be looking to offload Barrett and retool the roster around Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. After leaving five uneventful years with the Knicks, he failed to find his fit and was labelled as “soft” along with Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley. For those reasons, or maybe for his shortcomings as a shooter, the Pelicans rejected the opportunity to strike a deal for him. Still, several teams will show interest when the trade market fully opens up in December.
In 58 games last season, the 25-year-old shooting guard averaged 21.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game on 46.8% shooting. As a solid two-way player just entering his prime, he’d be a great fit for a team like the Bucks or even the Portland Trail Blazers, who need depth and versatility on the wing.
Whether or not the Raptors find a trade partner for Barrett, it’s clear they’re preparing for another active season on the transaction front. With no real path to title contention, Toronto’s front office is in reset mode, and Barrett could be one of the biggest names moved before the 2026 deadline.
For now, the ball is in the Raptors’ court. If they believe Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram are the right duo to build around, flipping Barrett for win-now talent or future assets might be their best shot at staying relevant in an increasingly competitive Eastern Conference.
