Mar 2, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett (9) drives around Orlando Magic guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (3) during the second half at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images

'He Could be Discussed in Trade Moving Forward' – Toronto Raptors’ $57 Million Forward Could be Traded Soon, Per Insider

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Aug 22, 2025 8:10 AM ET

NBA insider Jake Fischer recently claimed that the Toronto Raptors could consider moving RJ Barrett ahead of next year’s trade deadline. Barrett has two years left on his current contract worth nearly $60 million before becoming an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2027.

The Toronto Raptors reportedly dangled Barrett to the New Orleans Pelicans when they traded for Brandon Ingram last February. Instead, they sent a pack age of Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk, and multiple draft picks.

“RJ Barrett is certainly a name that I would tell you and tell Raptors fans to be on the lookout as a potential trade candidate going out the door with his $30 million in salary,” Fischer said on the Insider Notebook.

Dec 9, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett (9) shoots against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the second half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

“He was someone that the Raptors discussed with the Pelicans in that Brandon Ingram trade conversation,” he continued. “Barrett’s representation is fully aware that he could be discussed in trade moving forward for the Raptors.”

Toronto Raptors insider reveals the reason behind Masai Ujiri’s firing

A few weeks ago, the Toronto Raptors parted ways with long-time team president Masai Ujiri and eventually replaced him with Bobby Webster, and TSN’s Josh Lewenberg shared his two cents on the surprising decision.

Sep 30, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Raptors vice chairman and team president Masai Ujiri talks to the media during media day at Scotiabank Area. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

“What I was told was that a number of the external candidates that came in really, really pushed back on some of the moves that Masai and company made over the last few years. One of them went as far as calling the Ingram trade a desperate Hail Mary, and that’s not surprising, right?” Lewenberg said on OverDrive.

“Where I do expect to see some changes, or at least some differences, is a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff that might not be reflected in the roster, in the sense that while their vision might not be entirely different, these are two very, very different people,” he added about Webster.