NBA Trade Deadline: Raptors Negotiating Trade Between RJ Barrett and Domantas Sabonis

The Toronto Raptors, currently at 30 wins and 21 losses approaching the All-Star break, are actively exploring the trade market. Despite their encouraging start to the season in a weakened Eastern Conference, the Canadian organization is seriously studying the possibility of acquiring the All-Star center from the Sacramento Kings, Domantas Sabonis.

A Trade Framework Already Discussed Between Both Franchises

According to NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the two teams have already established the foundations of a potential trade. « League sources have indicated that these two teams have discussed a trade that would involve at least RJ Barrett, Poeltl and compensation in first-round picks, but the Raptors will not include rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, whom the Kings have inquired about, » Siegel reported.

The Kings and Raptors remain involved in trade negotiations for Domantas Sabonis, per @MikeAScotto.

A three-team framework being discussed between Sacramento and Toronto:

Sacramento: RJ Barrett + Ochai Agbaji
Toronto: Domantas Sabonis
Facilitator: Jakob Poeltl + draft capital pic.twitter.com/QHCArXQsA3

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) February 3, 2026

The most discussed trade scenario would see Toronto receive Domantas Sabonis, while Sacramento would get RJ Barrett, a 2026 first-round pick and a 2029 pick swap. This proposal would allow the Kings to shed Sabonis’s $42.3 million salary while acquiring a 25-year-old talent under contract for two additional seasons.

Mutual Benefits for Both Franchises

RJ Barrett, who is averaging 18.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this season with 48.5% shooting and 34.6% from three-point range in 26 games, would represent a centerpiece for Sacramento’s rebuild. For his part, Sabonis is currently contributing 15.4 points, 11.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists with an efficient 54.2% shooting, despite some physical issues this season.

PLAYER PROFILE

RJ Barrett

R.J. BARRETT

Position(s):Guard

Height:198 cm

Age:25 years (06/14/2000)

Nationalities:

Stats 2025-2026 / NBA

PTS

18.8

#54

REB

5.2

#111

AST

3.5

#94

For Toronto, acquiring Sabonis would constitute a major upgrade in the paint, particularly given Jakob Poeltl‘s struggles to stay on the court this season. Paired with Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram, the Lithuanian three-time All-Star would fill the Raptors‘ rebounding needs while offering additional offensive versatility.

However, Siegel tempers expectations: « It is more likely that Sabonis stays with the Kings rather than being traded before Thursday, » even though anything is possible before the February 5 deadline. The Kings recently traded Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis to the Cleveland Cavaliers for De’Andre Hunter, showing their willingness to restructure their roster.