Toronto Raptors go after Sabonis to form a new Big 3

Toronto Raptors has accelerated its project with the return of Kawhi Leonard and now there appears a possibility that is even more ambitious: to explore a trade for Domantas Sabonis again. Although insider Brett Siegel does not consider Toronto to currently be among the top candidates to acquire the Sacramento Kings' center, the franchise still has enough pieces to construct a deal, and the athletic fit could make him a particularly attractive target.

The arrival of Leonard completely changes the Raptors' perspective. The team that finished 46-36 last season and returned to the playoffs after several years of rebuilding no longer needs to focus solely on developing young talent. With Scottie Barnes as a central piece and Leonard providing experience, scoring, and elite defense, Toronto can consider moves aimed at competing immediately in the East. In that context, Sabonis represents a very particular opportunity: adding playmaking from the center position, rebounding, and a playmaking ability that could multiply the offensive possibilities of the new Canadian project.

Sabonis would be a different complement for Kawhi and Barnes

The appeal of Sabonis does not only lie in his numbers. The Lithuanian center brings an offensive dimension that Toronto currently lacks naturally. In 19 games last season, he averaged 15.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, in addition to shooting 54.3% from the field.

His ability to distribute from the high post would relieve even more responsibility from Barnes, while Kawhi could focus on attacking from the perimeter, playing isolation situations, and capitalizing on the spaces created by an interior player who can pass and finish near the rim. The obvious problem would be the defensive and spatial fit: Sabonis is not a dominant rim protector nor a reliable outside shooter, so Toronto would have to carefully design its structure around him.

But precisely there lies the potential of a lineup with Barnes, Leonard, and Sabonis. All three can create advantages in very different ways and would force defenses to make decisions constantly.

Toronto still has the pieces to give it a try

Brett Siegel has cooled off the possibility. According to the insider, the Raptors were previously close to exploring a deal for Sabonis, but the attempt became complicated due to the need to involve a third franchise to fit Jakob Poeltl's contract. After Leonard's arrival, Siegel no longer considers Toronto among the most interested teams, although he acknowledged that the franchise could still make the move because it has contracts like RJ Barrett and Poeltl to build a deal.

This turns the situation into a possibility rather than an advanced rumor. And economically, it would not be simple. Sabonis will earn $45.47 million in 2026-27 and $48.61 million in 2027-28, while Toronto already has significant commitments with Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, Barrett, and Poeltl.

A hypothetical trade would, therefore, require deciding how much future Toronto is willing to sacrifice to accelerate its present. And the answer may depend on what happens in the first few months with Leonard.

The big dilemma: is it necessary to make another leap?

The Raptors already have a competitive core. Barnes, Leonard, Quickley, and Barrett offer multiple offensive avenues, and the team just won 46 games and reached the playoffs. Adding Sabonis could significantly raise their ceiling, but it would also reduce depth and financial flexibility.

The more interesting question would be to determine if Toronto needs another big name or if it should allow its current core to evolve. Kawhi already represents a huge leap in quality and his presence changes the expectations of a team that lost in the first round last year.

Therefore, Sabonis could be a second-phase target. If Leonard proves he can stay healthy and Toronto finds itself among the top teams in the East, the pressure to seek a top-level interior piece would increase. And then, that deal which now seems unlikely could be back on the table.

A move that would definitely change the project

The arrival of Sabonis would turn the Raptors into a much more aggressive project. Barnes would provide youth and versatility, Leonard the star talent capable of deciding games, and Sabonis a constant source of rebounding, offensive generation, and interior play. The result would be a team built to compete immediately, though with significant defensive and financial questions.

For now, Brett Siegel does not see Toronto in the race for Sabonis, but he does not completely close the door either. And that difference is important: the Raptors have the contracts to give it a try and, above all, a new reason to do so. If Kawhi returns to being the player who can elevate a team in the playoffs, Toronto might consider that it is time to bet even stronger.

Conclusion: Sabonis does not currently seem to be the next big target for the Raptors, but the fit with Leonard and Barnes is too interesting to completely rule it out. If Toronto decides that its competitive window is open, the Sacramento center could become the interior piece that finally transforms Kawhi's return into a legitimate championship candidacy.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Toronto Raptors se lanza a por Sabonis para formar un nuevo Big 3