Toronto Raptors Mailbag: Offseason Plans, Ingram Trade Rumors, and More
The Western Conference playoffs are heating up, while the East remains predictable, and NBA draft preparations are underway. It is an ideal moment for a Toronto Raptors mailbag. A second installment will follow soon.
Thanks as always for the questions from fans.
How Many Roster Changes Should Be Made?
Ed Helinski asked via X: “In your opinion, how many roster changes should be made in the offseason in efforts to upgrade the team?”
RW: Nine Raptors are already under contract for next season, and the team will likely pick up Jamal Shead’s team option, making it ten. They hope to retain Sandro Mamukelashvili after he declines his small player option, and Trayce Jackson-Davis may stay on a cheap team option. The futures of Garrett Temple (possible retirement), Jonathan Mogbo (rarely played), and Canadian A.J. Lawson (deserves an NBA roster spot) are uncertain.
The 19th pick in next month’s draft will also occupy a spot. Additionally, last year’s second-round pick Alijah Martin, Chucky Hepburn, and this year’s second-round pick are in the mix. That leaves limited room for standard or two-way contracts.
The Raptors lack cap space to sign more than one impact player unless a trade frees up funds. So it is likely either Mamukelashvili or another low-budget free agent gamble. The goal should be acquiring a quick guard who can penetrate and score or hit pull-up threes, and a 7-footer who defends the rim (with an outside shot as a bonus).
Why Didn’t the Siakam-Anunoby-VanVleet-Barnes Core Work?
Spencer Smith asked via X: “(Pascal) Siakam, OG (Anunoby), Fred (VanVleet) and Scottie (Barnes) are all awesome players. Why didn’t it work?”
RW: Responsibility falls on everyone to some degree. Barnes is arguably the best now, though that may slight Siakam (a champion and two-time All-NBA), but Barnes wasn’t at that level then. He wanted a higher pecking order, which clashed with proud veterans. VanVleet needed the ball and preferred a certain style. Siakam believed he was the top dog. Anunoby desired a larger offensive role. Masai Ujiri and VanVleet acknowledged some “selfishness.” They simply did not click.
Are Other Teams Interested in Trading for Brandon Ingram?
Flippydogg asked via X: “Are other teams interested in trading for Brandon Ingram?”
RW: More than in recent years, but I sense the Raptors have no interest in moving him. Barnes is a big fan and values Ingram’s offensive help; Ingram is a popular teammate. If I were in charge, I would explore offers due to his injury history, but his recent heel surgery and missing most of the 2024-25 season may scare teams. Regardless, I cannot see Ingram not being a Raptor on opening night.
When Will the Raptors Make a Significant Trade?
Jordan and Jsspropert27387 asked via X: “If you had to bet on which transaction window would Bobby Webster use for a significant trade—summer ’26, trade deadline Feb. ’27, or summer ’27?”
RW: Summer of ’27, because Webster and Ujiri tend to wait for the latest window. This summer seems least likely. Ingram likely stays, and trading RJ Barrett after his playoffs would be a hard sell publicly. They also seem reluctant to move Gradey Dick, as Webster defended him at season’s end. However, they need cap space, and finding a team that sees Dick as a “second draft” candidate is one easier way to achieve that.
The trade deadline also makes sense if they cannot agree on a new deal with Barrett. They could revisit options from February’s deadline.
Who Should Scottie Barnes Have Replaced on All-Defensive First Team?
Dan M. asked via email: “Who should Scottie Barnes have replaced on the NBA’s all-defensive first team?”
RW: I wrote a column about how egregious Barnes’ snub was. Victor Wembanyama was the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year and is unquestionably better, but Barnes was right behind him along with Chet Holmgren, Ausar Thompson, and Rudy Gobert. Gobert is an all-time defender, and Holmgren had monster rim protection, but Barnes is more versatile and played with inferior defensive teammates compared to Holmgren’s Thunder squad.
There is no argument for Derrick White over Barnes (voters had Barnes fifth and White sixth in DPOY voting). White is excellent and a shot-blocking guard, but not Barnes. I would also put Anunoby’s defensive season ahead of White’s, and possibly Bam Adebayo’s.
Follow Ryan Wolstat on X: @WolstatSun
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