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Sam Amick: “RJ (Barrett) is definitely of interest to the Kings. The obstacle, like I wrote, is Jakob Poeltl. It’s an absolute non-starter for Sacramento—they’re not taking him on. He has a lot of money left; I think it’s around $103 million. So if you see Poeltl move somewhere else before the deadline—which is unlikely—that’s the only way this becomes more realistic. And honestly, I forgot to write this part: his back issues have kept him off the floor lately, which is another thing to monitor.”
Anthony Slater on Domantas Sabonis: The Toronto interest is real from what I understand. RJ Barrett almost matches the salary. I think RJ Barrett's around like 29 or so. He's the big chunk going back. He's only under contract for one more season after this whereas Sabonis is two beyond that. That is some salary relief for the Kings.
The Raptors, league sources confirmed, are among the teams that have checked in on Sabonis ahead of the trade deadline. He has three years and $136.3 million left on his contract, so it would need to be a large-scale deal with either RJ Barrett or Immanuel Quickley likely heading back. Barrett's remaining contract (two years, $57.3 million) is more appetizing.
Josh Lewenberg: RJ Barrett is available tonight in Portland. The Raptors are 16-7 with him in the lineup, 11-12 without him. Collin Murray-Boyles is out (along with Poeltl and Walter).
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Josh Lewenberg: RJ Barrett and Collin Murray-Boyles have both been upgraded to questionable for tomorrow’s game in Portland. Poeltl and Walter are out.
TSN can confirm that Toronto appears willing to part with some combination of Immanuel Quickley, Jakob Poeltl and RJ Barrett, or at least that’s the impression that rival teams have gleaned from exploratory discussions. That tracks, both because the Raptors would need to include one or two of those players to match salary in any big trade, but also because those are the contracts limiting their financial flexibility moving forward.
Josh Lewenberg: Barrett has been ruled out for tonight. The hope was for him to make his return in Sacramento tonight but he’ll miss another game, his 7th straight. Murray-Boyles, Poeltl and Walter are also out.
Josh Lewenberg: A few changes to the Raptors’ injury report for tonight’s game vs the Clippers. Mamu (illness) has been upgraded to probable and Battle (ankle) has been ruled out. Barrett, Poeltl and Walter are out. Quickley still questionable.
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After three straight missed postseasons, and with new governor Edward Rogers ready to take full control of the franchise later this year, there is a sense of urgency in Toronto. The Raptors have been on the phones in recent weeks gauging the trade value of some of their players, including RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, numerous sources told ESPN.
Sources say Toronto is among the teams that has maintained trade interest in Anthony Davis, but any firm offer that the Raptors make is expected to be built around the contract of Immanuel Quickley or Jakob Poeltl alongside RJ Barrett in a Davis deal.
Jake Fischer: ‘Domantas Sabonis has interest from Toronto. We've continued to report that, but it’ll be tricky to find an agreement there, being that the Raptors, to my understanding, are really just trying to look at what they can get for a combination of Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Jakob Poeltl and the Kings do not want long-term salary on their books right now.’