While the Toronto Raptors put up one hell of a fight, the Cleveland Cavaliers won their first-round playoff series four games to three. But this early exit doesn't make the rumored trade with the Sacramento Kings for Domantas Sabonis any more likely. In fact, it's less likely than ever.
The current iteration of the Raptors has proven to be an impressive team. Before the season started, there were a lot of doubters who didn't think Toronto had what it took to make the playoffs. Bill Simmons was one of those people, and he lost a bet with Kendrick Perkins over it.
It turned out to be one of the Raptors' better seasons in a while. The cherry on the top of the year was finishing as the number five seed in the Eastern Conference. Then, they gave the Cavs everything they could handle and more, taking the series to seven games. It was an impressive showing.
Still, rumors of a trade between the Raptors and the Kings involving Sabonis have popped up after Toronto's first-round exit. He isn't the answer to whatever problems people seem to think the Raptors have. What they do need is time to continue to grow and develop as players and a unit.
The Raptors don't need Sabonis to thrive
Even making the playoffs was a huge step forward for a developing squad. The Raptors are the third-youngest team in the league. Very few of them had any playoff experience before 2026. This was a key learning experience for the roster and for the front office, which has a clear vision of this team.
What this roster needs is more time to develop and grow together. It didn't help that Brandon Ingram wasn't playing his best basketball, and Immanuel Quickley was injured. While there are some moves to be made, like trading Gradey Dick and getting rid of Jakob Poeltl, adding Sabonis isn't one of them.
The positives and negatives of Sabonis as a player have been thoroughly documented at this point. As such, it's honestly hard to see how he fits into this roster. If the Raptors want a new center, they would be better off trading for someone like Maxime Raynaud or Dylan Cardwell.
Frankly, the Kings are not going to trade either of those players. What they are is a good example of the type of centers the Raptors should be looking for, instead of Sabonis, either through the draft or through trades. A Sabonis trade works out way better for the Kings than the Raptors.
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