NBA trade rumors: Toronto Raptors weigh major deadline calls as RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley surface in trade talks

Tension is always present throughout the trade season, particularly for teams that must choose between contending and rebuilding. As the NBA trade deadline on February 5th draws near, the Toronto Raptors are in that precise position.

The Raptors are in a particularly strong position on the trade market this year. It is now more difficult for teams to move players on very modest or very large salaries due to the league's new CBA regulations, especially the limitations around the second apron. The new regulations have also caused the value of draft picks to soar. One of the few teams in the Eastern Conference that has control over all of its upcoming first-round selections is Toronto.

Raptors explore RJ Barrett–Immanuel Quickley packages as Domantas Sabonis talks stall

For weeks, the Sacramento Kings star has been connected to Toronto; NBA insider Jake Fischer has revealed that there is genuine interest. A deal isn't closed yet. Sacramento's emphasis on financial adaptability has made negotiations extremely difficult.Fischer said:“Domantas Sabonis has interest from Toronto. We’ve continued to report that, but it’ll be tricky to find an agreement there, being that the Raptors, to my understanding, are really just trying to look at what they can get for a combination of Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Jakob Poeltl and the Kings do not want long-term salary on their books right now.”

Discussions continue to go slowly because of this disparity. Sacramento wants to avoid long-term contracts, while Toronto is investigating various player combinations. League insiders feel that any Sabonis transfer would necessitate the involvement of at least one extra team due to this disparity.There is a sense of urgency in Toronto following three consecutive postseason losses, and with new governor Edward Rogers poised to assume complete ownership of the team later this year.

According to multiple sources who spoke to ESPN, the Raptors have been on the phone in recent weeks assessing the trade value of some of its players, such as RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley.The Raptors, who have been linked to each of those players, would be in a better position to do so because their offers would include multiyear contracts of their own, whereas other teams might be hesitant to take on long-term salary for potential trade candidates like Morant, Domantas Sabonis, or Anthony Davis.

RJ Barret would be acquired by Detroit, according to insiders.

RJ Barrett’s fantasy outlook surges as potential multi-team trade scenario takes shape

RJ Barrett's fantasy worth would increase the most in this transaction. Barrett would take on a key scoring position and have plenty of opportunity to amass stats if he were to move from the Raptors, a team with many scoring alternatives and shared ball distribution, to the Nets, a team that is probably going to be losing players at the trade deadline.The Raptors still lack a true offensive center of gravity in their frontcourt, despite coach Darko Rajakovic's embrace of flexible formations. A proposed four-team structure provides a solution to several problems. Under this deal, Sabonis would go to Toronto. In 2026, Toronto and Detroit would give Sacramento Jonathan Kuminga, Tobias Harris, and two first-round selections. Also read: Atlanta Hawks Vs Toronto Raptors (01-06-2026) game preview: When and where to watch, expected lineup, injury report, prediction, and more