Here is my overall strategy and roster construction ideas for the Toronto Raptors 2026 offseason and going forward, including possible lineup changes and potential trade ideas.
What
- Improve 3PT/FT shooting of all players around Barnes/Murray into future
- Improve height, rebounding, defense, and eventually 3PT shooting at center
- Center - Get tall starting center(s) to rebound and defend, hope 3PT potential
- Point - Get young backup or fringe PG that shoots 3PT, rebounds, passes
- Continue trading for young players to get team of 2-Way shooters/defenders
- Sign cheap centers if just rebounds/defense, play Murray/Barnes center rarely
Players
- Barrett - Trade for young prospect player(s), draft picks, maybe cheap center
- Shead - Trade possibly and get a better shooting and rebounding PG
- Poeltl - Keep and move to bench to trade salary at future date, or use in trade
- Ingram - Keep for 3PT shooting, late clock scoring, and team consistency
- Walter - Promote to starting lineup at SG, Murray starters insurance 6th man
- Gradey - Keep as 11th guy, maybe don't extend, possibly trade at deadline
Lineup
- PG - Quickley - [Trade 3/D] - Draft/FA
- SG - Walter - Murray - Gradey
- SF - Ingram - [Trade D/3] - Battle
- PF - Barnes - Mamu - Draft/FA
- C - [FA/Trade] - Poeltl - Draft/FA
Trade Blueprint 1
- Don't love center being high paid player, but maybe worth it here
- Raptors - Barrett, Shead, Gradey, Mogbo, 2027 1st
- Thunder - Holmgren, Wallace
Trade Blueprint 2
- Poeltl contract tough, but maybe they prefer him to trade later
- Raptors - Barrett, Poeltl, Shead, Battle, Mogbo, 2027 1st
- Thunder - Holmgren, Wallace, Topic
Trade Blueprint 3
- Improve shooting potential and continue with youth movement
- Raptors - Barrett, Shead, Mogbo
- Rockets - Sheppard, Smith, 2027 1st, 2026 2nd, 2027 2nd
Trade Blueprint 4
- Get center with shooting potential, offensive PG, continue with youth
- Raptors - Barrett, Shead, Battle, Mogbo
- Heat - Ware, Jakucionis, Wiggins, 2026 1st
Trade Blueprint 5
- Get picks, starting no 3PT center, two solid guys who've won championship
- Raptors - Barrett, Shead, Jackson
- Thunder - Wallace, Hartenstein, 2026 1st, 2027 1st, 2-3 2nd Round
Trade Blueprint 6
- Not "huge" myself on Sengun, as defense/shooting/slow, but maybe fits?
- Raptors - Barrett, Shead, Gradey, Jackson
- Rockets - Sheppard, Sengun