Raptors' RJ Barrett Named in Kevin Durant Trade Report on Monday
Raptors' RJ Barrett Named in Kevin Durant Trade Report on Monday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
With NBA trade season heating up, Kevin Durant has been at the center of nearly every rumor. Despite another stellar year—averaging 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and shooting 52.7% overall, 43% from three—Durant's season ended in disappointment as the Suns missed the playoffs and Phoenix gears up for a full-scale rebuild. The team is clearly ready to move on, and with Durant's age and expiring $54.7 million contract, a move out of the Valley seems inevitable.
Advertisement
Earlier this weekend, ESPN's Brian Windhorst confirmed that the Toronto Raptors—having missed the playoffs—are emerging as potential Durant suitors. Toronto joins a growing list of teams willing to pursue the superstar, signaling their readiness to swing for a transformative move.
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35)© Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
In the wake of this new report, Jake Fischer on The Stein Line provided new intel about a possible Durant-Raptors move:
'Sources say that the Raptors would be willing to part with either RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley for a significant roster upgrade. Several league figures with knowledge of the Raptors' thinking have likewise asserted that they could show a willingness to move center Jakob Poeltl as well … provided that the trade in question brought back Durant.'
Both Barrett and Quickley have been key rotation pieces for Toronto. Barrett averaged 21.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists this season, while Quickley chipped in 17.1 points and 5.8 assists. A willingness to move them (and potentially Poeltl) could give Toronto the collection of assets needed for an ambitious pursuit of Durant.
Advertisement
Acquiring Durant would dramatically elevate Toronto's ceiling, injecting elite scoring into a team searching for a bonafide superstar alongside Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. If the Raptors ultimately lands Durant, they'd add one of the greatest scorers in basketball history, instantly transforming into a playoff contender.
Related: Kawhi Leonard Named in Kevin Durant Trade Report on Sunday
Related: Raptors Send Brandon Ingram Message After Giannis Antetokounmpo News
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
41 minutes ago
- Associated Press
White Sox bring 1-0 series lead over Blue Jays into game 2
Chicago White Sox (24-52, fifth in the AL Central) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (40-35, third in the AL East) Toronto; Saturday, 3:07 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: White Sox: Aaron Civale (1-3, 4.67 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 23 strikeouts); Blue Jays: Jose Berrios (2-3, 3.81 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 76 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Blue Jays -213, White Sox +176; over/under is 8 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Chicago White Sox play the Toronto Blue Jays with a 1-0 series lead. Toronto has a 40-35 record overall and a 24-15 record in home games. Blue Jays hitters have a collective .324 on-base percentage, the eighth-best percentage in MLB play. Chicago has a 24-52 record overall and an 8-31 record on the road. The White Sox have a 17-10 record in games when they out-hit their opponents. The matchup Saturday is the second time these teams meet this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Bo Bichette has 19 doubles, a triple, 10 home runs and 45 RBIs while hitting .278 for the Blue Jays. Ernie Clement is 17 for 43 with four doubles and a home run over the last 10 games. Chase Meidroth has five doubles, two home runs and nine RBIs for the White Sox. Andrew Benintendi is 10 for 38 with three doubles, a triple and two home runs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Blue Jays: 5-5, .274 batting average, 5.93 ERA, outscored by 13 runs White Sox: 2-8, .221 batting average, 4.69 ERA, outscored by 18 runs INJURIES: Blue Jays: Alan Roden: day-to-day (knee), Myles Straw: day-to-day (ankle), Bowden Francis: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Daulton Varsho: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Anthony Santander: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Yimi Garcia: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Max Scherzer: 60-Day IL (thumb), Ryan Burr: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Alek Manoah: 60-Day IL (elbow), Angel Bastardo: 60-Day IL (elbow) White Sox: Cam Booser: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Davis Martin: 15-Day IL (forearm), Mike Tauchman: day-to-day (groin), Jared Shuster: 15-Day IL (hand), Fraser Ellard: 60-Day IL (lat), Ky Bush: 60-Day IL (elbow), Miguel Castro: 60-Day IL (knee), Jonathan Cannon: 15-Day IL (back), Martin Perez: 60-Day IL (forearm), Drew Thorpe: 60-Day IL (elbow), Prelander Berroa: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jesse Scholtens: 60-Day IL (elbow) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Yahoo
41 minutes ago
- Yahoo
White Sox bring 1-0 series lead over Blue Jays into game 2
Chicago White Sox (24-52, fifth in the AL Central) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (40-35, third in the AL East) Toronto; Saturday, 3:07 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: White Sox: Aaron Civale (1-3, 4.67 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 23 strikeouts); Blue Jays: Jose Berrios (2-3, 3.81 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 76 strikeouts) Advertisement BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Blue Jays -213, White Sox +176; over/under is 8 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Chicago White Sox play the Toronto Blue Jays with a 1-0 series lead. Toronto has a 40-35 record overall and a 24-15 record in home games. Blue Jays hitters have a collective .324 on-base percentage, the eighth-best percentage in MLB play. Chicago has a 24-52 record overall and an 8-31 record on the road. The White Sox have a 17-10 record in games when they out-hit their opponents. The matchup Saturday is the second time these teams meet this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Bo Bichette has 19 doubles, a triple, 10 home runs and 45 RBIs while hitting .278 for the Blue Jays. Ernie Clement is 17 for 43 with four doubles and a home run over the last 10 games. Advertisement Chase Meidroth has five doubles, two home runs and nine RBIs for the White Sox. Andrew Benintendi is 10 for 38 with three doubles, a triple and two home runs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Blue Jays: 5-5, .274 batting average, 5.93 ERA, outscored by 13 runs White Sox: 2-8, .221 batting average, 4.69 ERA, outscored by 18 runs INJURIES: Blue Jays: Alan Roden: day-to-day (knee), Myles Straw: day-to-day (ankle), Bowden Francis: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Daulton Varsho: 10-Day IL (hamstring), Anthony Santander: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Yimi Garcia: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Max Scherzer: 60-Day IL (thumb), Ryan Burr: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Alek Manoah: 60-Day IL (elbow), Angel Bastardo: 60-Day IL (elbow) Advertisement White Sox: Cam Booser: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Davis Martin: 15-Day IL (forearm), Mike Tauchman: day-to-day (groin), Jared Shuster: 15-Day IL (hand), Fraser Ellard: 60-Day IL (lat), Ky Bush: 60-Day IL (elbow), Miguel Castro: 60-Day IL (knee), Jonathan Cannon: 15-Day IL (back), Martin Perez: 60-Day IL (forearm), Drew Thorpe: 60-Day IL (elbow), Prelander Berroa: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jesse Scholtens: 60-Day IL (elbow) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Rangers star Jacob deGrom's latest gem vs. Pirates has Bruce Bochy fanboying
The post Rangers star Jacob deGrom's latest gem vs. Pirates has Bruce Bochy fanboying appeared first on ClutchPoints. Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom has been one of the best pitchers in baseball for many years when he is healthy, but injury problems have kept him off the mound for a large chunk of the past few seasons. whether it has been with the Rangers or the New York Mets, deGrom's body has limited the impact that he can have on his team. Advertisement Thankfully, that has not been the case this season. The two-time former Cy Young winner has been healthy all year and has delivered elite outing after elite outing on the mound for Texas, and that was no different on Friday night. The star right-hander went six innings for Bruce Bochy and company in a 6-2 win over he Pittsburgh Pirates, notching seven strikeouts while giving up five hits, a walk and a pair of earned runs. After the game, Bochy was left to do nothing but appreciate deGrom's greatness after yet another strong outing, via Kennedi Landry of 'It's been great [watching him],' Bochy said. 'I've always said this, and I appreciate his talent. I'm a fan. I love watching him, so to have him back healthy and watching what he's doing, it's cool. For him to be pitching without being in pain, I'm excited for him, because he went through a lot before the surgery. It's just good to see a healthy guy that's one of the best ever in the game.' Advertisement deGrom's latest gem adds on to what has been a phenomenal season from him. Now, in 15 starts, he has a 7-2 record for a Rangers squad that has struggled somewhat when he has not been on the mound. Coming into this win against the Pirates, he had a spectacular 2.19 ERA in 82.1 innings pitched with 80 strikeouts and just 17 walks. deGrom's 15 starts are the most he's made since 2021, and he started just nine games over the past two seasons combined. He has not played a full season since back in 2019 for the Mets when he won his second Cy Young. Now, he is back to his best again. 'I can't say better than expected, because I expected Jacob to do what he's been doing his whole career,' Bochy added after the game, per Landry. 'Now he's doing what I saw a lot from the other side. This is what he can do when he's healthy. … The consistency is remarkable. He's so gifted at putting the ball where he wants. I'm a fan. I appreciate these players — their gifts and talents — but especially him and what he can do.' Advertisement If deGrom can keep up this level of production, the rest of the American League will be hoping that they don't have to see him in the playoffs. Related: Wings' Paige Bueckers delivers 'nonchalant' strike in 1st pitch before Royals-Rangers
