The Toronto Raptors entered this offseason looking to build on a 2025-26 season that marked real progress. Toronto went 46-36, finished fifth in the Eastern Conference and returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2022 before losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games in the first round.
With Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram and Immanuel Quickley already in place, the expectation around the league was that Toronto would at least explore adding another high-level offensive talent this summer.
The Raptors were linked at various points to stars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant and, more recently, Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball.
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The Ball speculation gained traction Wednesday when Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported that Toronto and the Minnesota Timberwolves had emerged as teams with trade interest in the former All-Star guard.
Ball had looked like a natural Raptors target given Toronto’s need for more shot creation and backcourt scoring.
By Thursday, that possibility was gone. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Charlotte is trading Ball and Josh Green to Minnesota for Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps in 2028, 2029 and 2030, plus three second-round picks in 2029, 2032 and 2033.
It is a tough development for Raptors fans who had started to envision Ball in Toronto’s core. Ball, 24, averaged 20.1 points, 7.1 assists and 4.8 rebounds over 72 games last season, one of the healthiest and most productive years of his career. His pace, passing and scoring punch would have fit cleanly next to Barnes and Ingram while giving Toronto another primary creator in the half court.
Instead, the Raptors will have to pivot elsewhere if they still want to make a major addition to the roster this offseason.
