Raptors’ RJ Barrett Named in Kevin Durant Trade Report on Monday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Ayomide P. Adeduyite | Last updated Jun 16, 2025 1:00 PM ET

With NBA trade season heating up, Kevin Durant has been at the center of nearly every rumor. Despite another stellar year—averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and shooting 52.7% overall, 43% from three—Durant’s season ended in disappointment as the Suns missed the playoffs and Phoenix gears up for a full-scale rebuild. The team is clearly ready to move on, and with Durant’s age and expiring $54.7 million contract, a move out of the Valley seems inevitable.

Earlier this weekend, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst confirmed that the Toronto Raptors—having missed the playoffs—are emerging as potential Durant suitors. Toronto joins a growing list of teams willing to pursue the superstar, signaling their readiness to swing for a transformative move.

In the wake of this new report, Jake Fischer on The Stein Line provided new intel about a possible Durant-Raptors move:

“Sources say that the Raptors would be willing to part with either RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley for a significant roster upgrade. Several league figures with knowledge of the Raptors' thinking have likewise asserted that they could show a willingness to move center Jakob Poeltl as well … provided that the trade in question brought back Durant.”

Orlando, Memphis and the Kevin Durant Trade Talks latest ... @JakeLFischer has done it again with a Monday Morning around-the-NBA notes compilation that is STACKED: https://t.co/imYE3gdXmb pic.twitter.com/5MHhr4Ew12
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 16, 2025

Both Barrett and Quickley have been key rotation pieces for Toronto. Barrett averaged 21.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists this season, while Quickley chipped in 17.1 points and 5.8 assists. A willingness to move them (and potentially Poeltl) could give Toronto the collection of assets needed for an ambitious pursuit of Durant.

Acquiring Durant would dramatically elevate Toronto's ceiling, injecting elite scoring into a team searching for a bonafide superstar alongside Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. If the Raptors ultimately lands Durant, they’d add one of the greatest scorers in basketball history, instantly transforming into a playoff contender.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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