WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 24: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors covers the eyes of Tristan … More
Before the February 6th trade deadline, the Raptors pulled off a major trade by acquiring Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans, relinquishing Bruce Brown, who was on an expiring contract, and draft compensation.
The organization later extended Ingram to a deal worth $40 million per year.
While the idea of acting as buyers wasn’t necessarily a bad one, you have to wonder what exactly the plan in Toronto is going into next season, and beyond.
Too many wings?
The addition of Ingram was particularly puzzling given that the team is already in possession of RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes. Essentially, with Ingram now added, the Raptors will field a starting lineup of three wings, which seems like overkill.
Of course, the organization could decide to pivot off Barrett in the summer – which seems more plausible than the alternative of Barnes – to stock up on depth.
With Barnes’ max-level contract extension, worth approximately $225 million over five years, triggering this summer, Toronto will almost assuredly have to function as an over-the-cap team, seeing as they’re also paying Immanuel Quickley $32.5 million per year, and of course have also decided to hand Ingram a raise.
As such, moving off Barrett – if that’s the plan – will almost have to bring back depth, at crucial positions.
What type of trade should the Raptors identify?
With Quickley having been in and out of lineups all season due to injuries, it does appear Toronto could be in need of guard depth.
Would the Chicago Bulls entertain taking on Barrett for a package centered around Ayo Dosunmu and Lonzo Ball?
That type of deal at least streamlines Toronto’s rotation a bit more, and provides them with more meaningful depth.
Ball, who signed an extension worth just $10 million per year over two seasons, would not be viewed as an enormous financial investment, and the Raptors can easily cut bait the following year, as the 2026-2027 contract year of Ball is a team option.
Dosunmu earns even less – $7.5 million next season – but will need to get paid in the summer of 2026, assuming the Raptors are keen on seeing him return.
That’s obviously something to consider for the long-term future, but for now such a deal gives them a full year of cheap production from two guards who can even function as occasional starters.
Will a core of Barnes, Ingram, Quickley, Dosunmu, Ball, Gradey Dick, and Jakob Pöltl be enough to make noise?
In the Eastern Conference, it probably can’t be counted out, even if the Raptors still clearly need an obvious number one guy.
Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
