The February trade deadline is fast approaching, and the Toronto Raptors have been frequently mentioned in league chatter as a potential buyer. Recent speculation linked the Raptors to Ja Morant, but those talks appear to have cooled significantly. Instead, the Raptors may be interested in a 6’10” center.
Jake Fischer Highlights Raptors’ Interest in Domantas Sabonis
The Raptors are not actively pursuing a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies for Morant, but they remain interested in exploring a possible deal for Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis as the NBA trade deadline approaches.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reported the update in The Stein Line Substack, citing league sources familiar with Toronto’s internal messaging.
“Sources say that Raptors personnel are also messaging that Toronto isn’t actively pursuing Memphis’ Ja Morant, either, even though the Grizzlies continue to welcome inquiries for Morant,” Fischer wrote. “But I have been told by various NBA figures that the Raptors are still intrigued by the prospect of pursuing Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis.”
Morant has been limited to just 20 games this season and has not played more than 50 games in either of the past two years.
Injuries, suspensions, and availability concerns have hindered his impact, and his on-court production has dipped compared to earlier seasons. That history has made teams cautious about committing major assets to the former All-Star guard.
Instead, the Raptors’ attention appears to be shifting toward Sabonis, who is signed to a four-year, $186,016,000 contract with the Kings that runs through the 2026-27 season. The three-time All-Star is widely viewed as a talented big man who could realistically become available before the deadline.
Sabonis recently returned from a torn left meniscus that sidelined him for nearly two months. He made his comeback in a 128-115 win over the Washington Wizards on Friday, Jan. 16. The Kings, however, have struggled since his return, losing three straight games and continuing to slide in the Western Conference standings.
The Kings sit at 12-33, near the bottom of the conference, which has fueled speculation that the franchise could reassess its direction. Sabonis is averaging 15.4 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game this season while shooting 51.9% from the field in his 10th NBA campaign.
Toronto, meanwhile, is 27-19 and fourth in the Eastern Conference, emerging as a surprise playoff contender. While the Raptors have found success, limitations at center have become more visible. Jakob Poeltl provides interior defense, but Toronto lacks a true playmaking hub in the frontcourt.
Sabonis could address that need. The Lithuanian center is one of the league’s best passing big men and would fit seamlessly into the Raptors’ motion-based offense as a high-post facilitator. His rebounding and screening could also benefit a roster built around ball movement and defensive versatility.
Sabonis Trade Could Be Difficult To Pull Off for the Raptors
Fischer has previously reported that trade talks between the Raptors and Kings are complicated.
Sacramento has been reluctant to take on Toronto’s long-term contracts, making a deal difficult to construct. He also noted that the Raptors are exploring what they could acquire using combinations of Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and Poeltl.
Quickley is in the first year of a five-year, $162.5 million contract, while Poeltl recently signed an extension worth $84 million over three seasons that begins in 2027.
While a deal remains far from certain, Fischer’s reporting suggests Toronto is prioritizing a win-now upgrade that aligns with its current trajectory rather than taking on the long-term risk associated with Morant.
For now, the Raptors remain firmly in the playoff mix, but their interest in Sabonis signals they may be willing to make a bold move if the right opportunity presents itself before the deadline.
