One Trade Deadline Move Raptors Should Prioritize

The Toronto Raptors are one of the league's most surprising teams in the first half of the season, putting them in position to be a buyer ahead of next week's NBA trade deadline.

The Raptors are third in the Eastern Conference but are within striking distance of the No. 2 seed, which is currently held by Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics. The Raptors' trade deadline activity could allow them to separate themselves from the rest of the pack, especially if they go for a big splash.

The Raptors are in need of a big man and if they could land Sacramento Kings All-Star centre Domantas Sabonis, it could be enough to get them into the title conversation.

"Meanwhile, big man Domantas Sabonis is still worth monitoring in the weeks ahead. When Toronto rolled through town on Wednesday, it wasn’t all that hard to imagine him putting on a Raptors jersey sometime soon. While Washington, Phoenix and Chicago are known to have had some interest in Sabonis, league sources confirmed reports that Toronto is a legitimate possibility as we approach the deadline," The Athletic insider Sam Amick wrote.

"It’s worth noting that the Raptors’ RJ Barrett, who is owed $27.7 million this season and $29.6 million next season, was drafted No. 3 overall out of Duke by current Kings general manager Scott Perry in 2019, when Perry held the same position with the Knicks. The two old friends shared a warm hug and extended conversation before the game at Golden 1 Center."