Toronto Raptors trying to catch a ‘big fish' on NBA trade market
Now, according to ESPN's NBA insider Brian Windhorst, the Raptors are prepared to go hunting for a 'big fish' on the NBA trade market.
'I don't want to get too far afield from this, but since this has come up, the Raptors are a team that is starting to make noise within the league about looking for a big fish. And, if you're an Eastern Conference team that's in the middle of the pack, you're looking at the teams in front of you going, 'Some of them may not be able to come together, may be able to stay together.' Boston is hurt, and so there are some teams that sniff the ability to make a move, and I think Toronto is one of those teams.
And so naturally, any team that wants to make a move this summer, especially a team in the Eastern Conference, you're going to have Giannis on the board. But Toronto, I think, is going to try—from their initial conversations, teams in the league are getting the impression that Toronto is going to try to do something.'
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Are the Raptors eyeing someone like Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo? If they're looking to reel in a big fish, why not start with the two-time NBA MVP? Yet, there's no guarantee that the Bucks will open up trade discussions involving the Greek Freak this offseason.
Other possible choices include players like Phoenix Suns superstar scorer Kevin Durant. Then again, there's always the surprise no one saw coming, like when the Dallas Mavericks tarded Luka Doncic. Perhaps that's what Toronto is looking to find, trying to uncover a trade opportunity that few could anticipate.
If so, that would open up a whole new world of possibilities. Would the New York Knicks already have interest in shaking up their core? It's only one of a long list of potential options this offseason, and it appears the Raptors are ready to pounce.
Related: Former top-five draft pick eyes comeback and is drawing interest from multiple NBA teams
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Each new market brings additional revenue streams through ticket sales, local sponsorships, and regional media rights. The expansion trajectory suggests demand far exceeds current supply, creating artificial scarcity that limits overall league revenue potential. of the Indiana Fever and Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the New York Liberty wears a shirt saying "Pay us what you owe us" prior to the 2025 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by) Less Getty Images 'Pay Us What You Own Us' When a trading card commands more market value than the athletes themselves can earn, the system isn't simply unfair, it's also inefficient. The WNBA's current revenue-sharing model represents a fundamental misallocation of resources that constrains the very growth it claims to seek. Players receiving less than 10% of league revenue while generating record viewership, sold-out arenas, and $250 million expansion fees defies basic economic principles that govern every other major sports league. The "Pay Us What You Owe Us" movement isn't about charity or special treatment. It's about applying standard sports economics to a league that has operated under artificial constraints for too long. When players can focus exclusively on their craft without being forced to compete overseas for additional income, when games air in optimal time slots, and when the season expands to meet demand, it's more than likely that the revenue ceiling will experience a significant rise. When a piece of cardboard sells for more than the maximum salary, it reveals the WNBA's fundamental failure to invest in the very players whose talent and marketability have generated and will continue to generate historic growth and fan demand.
