Though they've fallen in seven of their past 10 contests, the Toronto Raptors (17-13) still appear motivated to compete for an NBA title in 2025-26.
Their tandem of one-time All-Stars Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes have led the Raptors to the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference to this juncture, and the franchise may be one deal away from heavily boosting their odds of locking down a guaranteed postseason berth.
Fortunately for the 2019 NBA champions, their opportunity to land a star trade target has arrived, as Anthony Davis and the Dallas Mavericks appear to be moving closer towards a break-up prior to the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
With the Mavericks reportedly listening to offers for the 10-time All-Star and the Raptors subscribing to a buyers' mentality this trade season, ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel recently shared that the latter franchise has remained one of Davis' most prominent suitors.
"The Toronto Raptors and Atlanta Hawks have widely been reported as teams with interest in Davis," Siegel wrote Friday.
"Both organizations envision themselves contending in the East playoff picture this season, and they each have a reason to pursue a star in the frontcourt like the Mavs' big man."
"While sources indicate that the Raptors have a goal of moving below the luxury tax line, which they are about $770,000 above right now, all options are on the table for this organization regarding if a star big man like Davis or Domantas Sabonis is available."
Toronto's buy-in mindset makes plenty of sense considering their collection of underrated young talent and draft capital, a stash that could give the franchise a puncher's chance of landing Davis or another star big man.
As for Davis, the 32-year-old future Hall of Famer and 2020 NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers has authored a resurgent season for an 11-18 Mavericks squad hanging in limbo between hoping to compete in the present and beginning a rebuild around their generationally talented rookie forward Cooper Flagg.
If the Mavs decide to relinquish Davis and other difference-making talents to initiate their rebuild, he could be of great service to the Raptors as they attempt to separate themselves in a decidedly weak Eastern Conference.
In 13 appearances for Dallas this season, the legendary big man averaged 19.9 points, 11.2 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.7 blocks in just 30.5 minutes of action.
Of course, the big hold-up with Davis is his chronicled injury history, but the Raptors may be willing to look past these issues to supply both Ingram and Barnes with yet another proven talent and one of the greatest two-way frontcourt stars in NBA history.
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