Anthony Davis and $217 million center on Raptors’ radar as frontcourt upgrade for Eastern Conference contenders

The Toronto Raptors are targeting an upgrade for their frontcourt and have reportedly shown interest in trading for the Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis and Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis.

The Raptors, currently No. 3 in the Eastern Conference with a 16-11 record, could be active in the pursuit of trades to fill their forward needs, according to NBA expert Jake Fischer on Tuesday.

“The trade that Toronto is willing to make before the trade buzzer in February comes down to how good the 16-11 Raptors still are as the deadline approaches,” he added. Fischer wrote. “Toronto, however, has sent some early signs that it hopes to improve its front court.

“Sources with knowledge of the Raptors’ thinking have identified them as a team with interest in Domantas Sabonis and Davis.”

Since the start of the season, Toronto has had a clear hole up the middle. Jakob Poeltl has been the team’s starting center and is averaging 10.1 points and 8.0 rebounds in 20 games.

Sabonis has been linked to several teams amid speculation that the Kings could blow up the roster. In 2023, Sabonis signed a five-year, $217 million extension with Sacramento as part of a renegotiation and extension, according to Spotrac. The Kings are 6-20.

Meanwhile, Anthony Davis trade rumors have been swirling since the offseason and were reignited recently when Dallas made changes in their front office. While the Mavericks have not specifically said the 10-time NBA All-Star is available in trade discussions, many teams have already expressed interest in acquiring the star.

The Atlanta Hawks have also shown interest in Anthony Davis

According to Fischer’s same report, aside from the Toronto Raptors, the other team interested in Davis is the Atlanta Hawks, who seem motivated to acquire another star. However, Fischer wrote that trade talks between the Hawks and Mavericks may not progress, given Atlanta’s lack of tradeable assets.

“The teams most interested so far, according to league sources, are Toronto and Atlanta,” Fischer said Tuesday. “Beyond the well-known fact that the Hawks have no intention of making the 2026 first-round pick available from New Orleans, I don’t feel very optimistic right now that Atlanta can come up with a package that would tempt Dallas.

“The Hawks can only make a credible offer for a player with a big salary if they part ways with Trae Young or Kristaps Porzingis.”

According to Fischer, any trade structure must include former NBA champion Kristaps Porziņģis, who is in the final season of a two-year, $60 million contract. Porziņģis, being the centerpiece of the Hawks’ offer, might not be attractive to the Mavericks. The Latvian center will be out for another two weeks due to illness.

Anthony Davis is in the first season of his three-year, $175.4 million contract, which has a $62.8 million player option in 2027-28. The Mavericks star has already missed 16 games this season due to injuries.