2025/2026 trade deadline rumors

[MEDIC]

Trey Murphy III means RJ is going the over way. The roster doesn’t work any other way, so I don’t believe it unless the Raptors are looking to add draft capital for a slight upgrade.

PG, SG or C are the only positions the Raptors can really acquire player as I think the other two are set. In order to get Trey Murphy III you would need to play him at the 2 or 3 and Ingram is still here, so that only leaves RJ.

I think if they traded RJ for Murphy, it would would be a financial move more than anything. If they get the sense.that RJ is expecting an IQ type contract or.better, Murphy makes less.

I'm not sure Marphy is a better.fit though. With no rim pressure, there would be a lot of hot potato around the preimeter. & that never turns out well.

Someone needs to be a threat going downill.

[sidsid]

sure, we can do that if we're trying to punt the year away

You believe we'll miss the playoffs because of RJ?

Here's what I think.

1. The Raptors will make the playoffs and not win a championship with or without RJ.

2. Only one of these scenarios gets us potentially an unprotected future first round pick.

3. The FO has been trying to trade RJ for an upgrade all of last season and this season now. Will likely do the same next year.

4. Kuzma will largely have the same trade value as RJ next year (an expiring contract).

It's one of those "don't panic and build" plays. But as I mentioned earlier, that's not what the FO wants to do. What it wants to do is hard to do without extra assets, like the Indy pick we traded for Ingram. It requires patience, which they don't have. It's being forced upon them now.

Yes, they tried to see if they can use RJ for an upgrade. Is Kuzma an upgrade?

ah yes the allure of a unprotected frp that at best turns out to be like....rj.
kuzma is a huge downgrade from RJ also.

Yes, the upgrade. Answered in the reply you both quoted.

See the second sentence in bullet 3. Then go to bullet 4 where it explains when and how you get the upgrade, as they are trying and currently failing to do it this year.

But you've hit on the issue the FO has...patience! You can take a small step back - a meaningless one in the grand scheme of things, as explained in bullet 1 - to have a better shot at that upgrade next year. But next year is, of course, not now (it's later), and they've proven incapable of thinking that far ahead during the entire post-Giannis offseason timeline.

[PushDaRock]

You believe we'll miss the playoffs because of RJ?

Here's what I think.

1. The Raptors will make the playoffs and not win a championship with or without RJ.

2. Only one of these scenarios gets us potentially an unprotected future first round pick.

3. The FO has been trying to trade RJ for an upgrade all of last season and this season now. Will likely do the same next year.

4. Kuzma will largely have the same trade value as RJ next year (an expiring contract).

It's one of those "don't panic and build" plays. But as I mentioned earlier, that's not what the FO wants to do. What it wants to do is hard to do without extra assets, like the Indy pick we traded for Ingram. It requires patience, which they don't have. It's being forced upon them now.

Yes, they tried to see if they can use RJ for an upgrade. Is Kuzma an upgrade?

ah yes the allure of a unprotected frp that at best turns out to be like....rj.
kuzma is a huge downgrade from RJ also.

Yes, the upgrade. Answered in the reply you both quoted.

See the second sentence in bullet 3. Then go to bullet 4 where it explains when and how you get the upgrade, as they are trying and currently failing to do it this year.

But you've hit on the issue the FO has...patience! You can take a small step back - a meaningless one in the grand scheme of things, as explained in bullet 1 - to have a better shot at that upgrade next year. But next year is, of course, not now (it's later), and they've proven incapable of thinking that far ahead during the entire post-Giannis offseason timeline.

That's based on your valuation that both these guys are mostly useless and just a cap number.

[Clutch0z24]

My personal opinion....We have been in all these trade talks for prolly weeks now trying to see what we can get for these guys on the market.....And i don't think these teams like what we have to offer....I don't think any of these teams want any of our vets on long term money, I don't think many teams want to extend RJ at potentially 35-40M range and i don't think we have any young prospects besides CMB that teams care about....

I think our only assets in trades would be CMB/Draft picks and obviously Ingram/Barnes who i assume would be off the table....

So at the end of the day i don't think we can trade for big named players because we lack the value and i don't think we are willing to give up lots of draft picks in the process...And if we do give up lots of draft picks i think we will regret that decision in the future...

[Tripod]

Then maybe we just keep the people that no one wants and has helped get us to 4th and we get value from them on the court when healthy.

EZPZ.

[sidsid]

Yes, they tried to see if they can use RJ for an upgrade. Is Kuzma an upgrade?

ah yes the allure of a unprotected frp that at best turns out to be like....rj.
kuzma is a huge downgrade from RJ also.

Yes, the upgrade. Answered in the reply you both quoted.

See the second sentence in bullet 3. Then go to bullet 4 where it explains when and how you get the upgrade, as they are trying and currently failing to do it this year.

But you've hit on the issue the FO has...patience! You can take a small step back - a meaningless one in the grand scheme of things, as explained in bullet 1 - to have a better shot at that upgrade next year. But next year is, of course, not now (it's later), and they've proven incapable of thinking that far ahead during the entire post-Giannis offseason timeline.

That's based on your valuation that both these guys are mostly useless and just a cap number.

For the type of trades we're looking to make, very likely.

I don't think teams believe that a mid 30s CJ McCollum is better than Trae Young, but the Mavs would prefer his contract over Trae for AD even though he's way off the timeline for the rebuild, and the Hawks themselves prefered his contract over Trae, too, while taking on another contract they didn't want in the process in Kispert for nothing. The Kings would prefer CJ over both Jak and IQ, and very likely over RJ as well.

Anfernee Simons is on the Celtics, but not because they preferred him over Jrue. Ja? Lamelo? I'll take the odds on CJ being valued over our trade bait contracts too.

None of it has to do with their talent or anything they do on the court. That is an ancillary bonus, if it's a positive at all. Kuzma would serve the same purpose.

[Clutch0z24]

Then maybe we just keep the people that no one wants and has gelped get us to 4th and we get value from them on the court when healthy.

EZPZ.

Would be easy if cap space wasn't an issue....RJ/Mammu off the team and what are you left with? Idk if we are a playoff team without these two and we are prolly back in the lottery....

[Tripod]

Then maybe we just keep the people that no one wants and has gelped get us to 4th and we get value from them on the court when healthy.

EZPZ.

Would be easy if cap space wasn't an issue....RJ/Mammu off the team and what are you left with? Idk if we are a playoff team without these two and we are prolly back in the lottery....

They are on the team this year, and cap isn't a big issue.

Next year is a new year and things change. But RJ is an expiring and people keep saying those guys have value, right?

[islandboy53]

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[canz55]

My personal opinion....We have been in all these trade talks for prolly weeks now trying to see what we can get for these guys on the market.....And i don't think these teams like what we have to offer....I don't think any of these teams want any of our vets on long term money, I don't think many teams want to extend RJ at potentially 35-40M range and i don't think we have any young prospects besides CMB that teams care about....

I think our only assets in trades would be CMB/Draft picks and obviously Ingram/Barnes who i assume would be off the table....

So at the end of the day i don't think we can trade for big named players because we lack the value and i don't think we are willing to give up lots of draft picks in the process...And if we do give up lots of draft picks i think we will regret that decision in the future...

RJ isn't getting anything north of 30 are you crazy? If he was a good lead initiator maybe but even then those players are increasingly less valuable.

[PushDaRock]

Yes, the upgrade. Answered in the reply you both quoted.

See the second sentence in bullet 3. Then go to bullet 4 where it explains when and how you get the upgrade, as they are trying and currently failing to do it this year.

But you've hit on the issue the FO has...patience! You can take a small step back - a meaningless one in the grand scheme of things, as explained in bullet 1 - to have a better shot at that upgrade next year. But next year is, of course, not now (it's later), and they've proven incapable of thinking that far ahead during the entire post-Giannis offseason timeline.

That's based on your valuation that both these guys are mostly useless and just a cap number.

For the type of trades we're looking to make, very likely.

I don't think teams believe that a mid 30s CJ McCollum is better than Trae Young, but the Mavs would prefer his contract over Trae for AD even though he's way off the timeline for the rebuild, and the Hawks themselves prefered his contract over Trae, too, while taking on another contract they didn't want in the process in Kispert for nothing. The Kings would prefer CJ over both Jak and IQ, and very likely over RJ as well.

Anfernee Simons is on the Celtics, but not because they preferred him over Jrue. Ja? Lamelo? I'll take the odds on CJ being valued over our trade bait contracts too.

None of it has to do with their talent or anything they do on the court. That is an ancillary bonus, if it's a positive at all. Kuzma would serve the same purpose.

That's also assuming they are desperate to make a deal in the first place. The FO is probably content with the season we are having and don't mind keeping this group together to continue building. That doesn't mean they don't check for potential upgrades to the roster. But, it also doesn't mean they just view RJ as a cap number like you do. This FO probably values our own players more than the rest of the league does, which is fine. Either they wait on evaluations to readjust, won't take much as this is a copy cat league or we try to buck the trend and have success with a lot of good and no great players. If we are successful, evaluations on our players likely change in the process anyways as winners get valued in this league.

[PushDaRock]

Then maybe we just keep the people that no one wants and has helped get us to 4th and we get value from them on the court when healthy.

EZPZ.

Seems like too simple of a solution

[Shakril]

That's based on your valuation that both these guys are mostly useless and just a cap number.

For the type of trades we're looking to make, very likely.

I don't think teams believe that a mid 30s CJ McCollum is better than Trae Young, but the Mavs would prefer his contract over Trae for AD even though he's way off the timeline for the rebuild, and the Hawks themselves prefered his contract over Trae, too, while taking on another contract they didn't want in the process in Kispert for nothing. The Kings would prefer CJ over both Jak and IQ, and very likely over RJ as well.

Anfernee Simons is on the Celtics, but not because they preferred him over Jrue. Ja? Lamelo? I'll take the odds on CJ being valued over our trade bait contracts too.

None of it has to do with their talent or anything they do on the court. That is an ancillary bonus, if it's a positive at all. Kuzma would serve the same purpose.

That's also assuming they are desperate to make a deal in the first place. The FO is probably content with the season we are having and don't mind keeping this group together to continue building. That doesn't mean they don't check for potential upgrades to the roster. But, it also doesn't mean they just view RJ as a cap number like you do. This FO probably values our own players more than the rest of the league does, which is fine. Either they wait on evaluations to readjust, won't take much as this is a copy cat league or we try to buck the trend and have success with a lot of good and no great players. If we are successful, evaluations on our players likely change in the process anyways as winners get valued in this league.

This.

I dont think the FO is any urgency to make a deal. They are very content to let the season play out and reevaluate then. This is the first competitive season we have, and its going great so far, despite all the problems we have. And from what rumours we are getting, the FO is already aware they need to do something on the C spot.

In the end, there is no need to make a trade, if it doesnt actually make us better.

[Syd-TK3]

Bucks still trying to win with Giannis is hilarious.
But im expecting Ja to the Heat and MPJ to the Warriors

Idk what we do but it'll most likely be something small to duck the tax. Nobody wants IQ or Poeltl contract and RJ is too valuable to this offense unless you know you getting a clear upgrade

[Clutch0z24]

Then maybe we just keep the people that no one wants and has gelped get us to 4th and we get value from them on the court when healthy.

EZPZ.

Would be easy if cap space wasn't an issue....RJ/Mammu off the team and what are you left with? Idk if we are a playoff team without these two and we are prolly back in the lottery....

They are on the team this year, and cap isn't a big issue.

Next year is a new year and things change. But RJ is an expiring and people keep saying those guys have value, right?

Cap is deff an issue if you want to keep your guys like you suggested in the post.....We would have to make trades or we lose them for nothing....Decisions must be made.

And Expirings do have value if you are taking on an expensive flawed star like Trae/AD who make 50 mill....Teams want to dump these guys for expirings so they rid of that cap space.

Don't think teams are taking on Yak or IQ so we are stuck with them two while losing RJ/Mammu....Not the best cap management for me.

[Tripod]

Would be easy if cap space wasn't an issue....RJ/Mammu off the team and what are you left with? Idk if we are a playoff team without these two and we are prolly back in the lottery....

They are on the team this year, and cap isn't a big issue.

Next year is a new year and things change. But RJ is an expiring and people keep saying those guys have value, right?

Cap is deff an issue if you want to keep your guys like you suggested in the post.....We would have to make trades or we lose them for nothing....Decisions must be made.

And Expirings do have value if you are taking on an expensive flawed star like Trae/AD who make 50 mill....Teams want to dump these guys for expirings so they rid of that cap space.

Don't think teams are taking on Yak or IQ so we are stuck with them two while losing RJ/Mammu....Not the best cap management for me.

Again...you are jumping to conclusions way too early.

Who says we are losing RJ/Mamu? Mamu could sign with MLE and it's Gradey moved. Maybe Mamu gets an overpay this offseason and leaves on his own? Maybe the Raps make the small Ochai for Richard's deal to get under the tax then unexpectedly beat a higher seed in the playoffs and Mgt decides to build on this roster and goes into the tax next year. Maybe RJ as an expiring is wanted by teams and the Raps take on multiple cheaper guys who also fit as well as RJ has.

6 months ago people were wondering how much Ochai gets and how we can afford it. It resolved itself...of course it's just Mamu now.

It's early in the build. Let's enjoy things just a little with so many "maybes" possible next year. I "expect" that Ochai type trade this deadline. Maybe something unexpected happens, who knows. But what I know is that if we can get guys healthy, other teams are really going to dislike facing the Raps. And just that is a big step forward.

[TimeForChange]

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[ArthurVandelay]

Read on Twitter

Only $10m guaranteed for next year so could free up $15m for a team.

A crappy team facing luxury tax might take that

But sadly no one is trading for DD the player anymore

[sidsid]

For the type of trades we're looking to make, very likely.

I don't think teams believe that a mid 30s CJ McCollum is better than Trae Young, but the Mavs would prefer his contract over Trae for AD even though he's way off the timeline for the rebuild, and the Hawks themselves prefered his contract over Trae, too, while taking on another contract they didn't want in the process in Kispert for nothing. The Kings would prefer CJ over both Jak and IQ, and very likely over RJ as well.

Anfernee Simons is on the Celtics, but not because they preferred him over Jrue. Ja? Lamelo? I'll take the odds on CJ being valued over our trade bait contracts too.

None of it has to do with their talent or anything they do on the court. That is an ancillary bonus, if it's a positive at all. Kuzma would serve the same purpose.

That's also assuming they are desperate to make a deal in the first place. The FO is probably content with the season we are having and don't mind keeping this group together to continue building. That doesn't mean they don't check for potential upgrades to the roster. But, it also doesn't mean they just view RJ as a cap number like you do. This FO probably values our own players more than the rest of the league does, which is fine. Either they wait on evaluations to readjust, won't take much as this is a copy cat league or we try to buck the trend and have success with a lot of good and no great players. If we are successful, evaluations on our players likely change in the process anyways as winners get valued in this league.

This.

I dont think the FO is any urgency to make a deal. They are very content to let the season play out and reevaluate then. This is the first competitive season we have, and its going great so far, despite all the problems we have. And from what rumours we are getting, the FO is already aware they need to do something on the C spot.

In the end, there is no need to make a trade, if it doesnt actually make us better.

I think team compete is now having the same issue the tank/rebuilding fans did earlier in the retool phases. Now that there are enough Ws in the regular season, they want the FO to stop and be patient. But that's not what this FO has in mind and team compete is not liking the Kawhi trade offers on hand. But they are in denial.

We're in all the rumours for the bigs, and some of the guards. We just got a report that the Kings don't want Jak and IQs contracts. The FO is not content with letting it ride out this season. They're not looking for minimum salary backups, but for drastic changes. It's just that, full stop, the teams don't want our contracts in trades this year.

We would have given up pick assets for Trae in a prior year when he has shown to have no value now. Same situation for the Jak trade. We don't know exactly how much they're willing to give up in future assets for their current targets, but hindsight is showing it's likely more than the rest of the market.

[PushDaRock]

That's also assuming they are desperate to make a deal in the first place. The FO is probably content with the season we are having and don't mind keeping this group together to continue building. That doesn't mean they don't check for potential upgrades to the roster. But, it also doesn't mean they just view RJ as a cap number like you do. This FO probably values our own players more than the rest of the league does, which is fine. Either they wait on evaluations to readjust, won't take much as this is a copy cat league or we try to buck the trend and have success with a lot of good and no great players. If we are successful, evaluations on our players likely change in the process anyways as winners get valued in this league.

This.

I dont think the FO is any urgency to make a deal. They are very content to let the season play out and reevaluate then. This is the first competitive season we have, and its going great so far, despite all the problems we have. And from what rumours we are getting, the FO is already aware they need to do something on the C spot.

In the end, there is no need to make a trade, if it doesnt actually make us better.

I think team compete is now having the same issue the tank/rebuilding fans did earlier in the retool phases. Now that there are enough Ws in the regular season, they want the FO to stop and be patient. But that's not what this FO has in mind and team compete is not liking the Kawhi trade offers on hand. But they are in denial.

We're in all the rumours for the bigs, and some of the guards. We just got a report that the Kings don't want Jak and IQs contracts. The FO is not content with letting it ride out this season. They're not looking for minimum salary backups, but for drastic changes. It's just that, full stop, the teams don't want our contracts in trades this year.

We would have given up pick assets for Trae in a prior year when he has shown to have no value now. Same situation for the Jak trade. We don't know exactly how much they're willing to give up in future assets for their current targets, but hindsight is showing it's likely more than the rest of the market.

We are in every rumour because we have all our picks and are 4th in the East.

So, this FO has gone from what people say is patient to a fault to now full blown panic mode desperate to get better in the midst of a really good season so far based on expectations?

Trae Young last season was still a 24 and 12 player. It makes sense that we would try to buy low on him at the time just as we thought we did with Ingram.