Okay, hear me out, here's my thought process.

I love Jakob Poetl, but acquiring someone like Embiid could level up our offense. Embiid provides that little extra Grit within the paint, his ability to throw it down is unlike no other.

Although his injuries are worrying, I would still be willing to take a chance and go for it, like when we traded for Kawhi.

For contract sake, it is necessary to either trade RJ, or IQ. Me personally, I've seen more improvement in RJ than IQ, so that's why I made my decision.

New Starting 5 (As of this season)

PG - RJ Barret (I full-heartedly believe RJ can run the floor) SG - Gradey Dick (SG is an open position but ill give it to Gradey for now) SF - Scottie Barnes PF - Brandon Ingram C - Joel Embiid

Bench

6 - Ja'Kobe Walter (That is up to you, but I like how he's been playing recently) 7 - Chris Boucher 8 - Jonathan Mogbo 9 - Jamal Shead 10 - Orlando Robinson

(I would like to think Darko may run more of an 11-12 man roster for the younger guys bu…

I find it really hard to gauge the value/interest for RJ.

Lets say The Jazz draft Copper Flagg at #1. They will then have a few too many guys in the front court.

Lets say Toronto does not get Maluach or Queen, drafting a Guard/Small forward. They will have a few too many guys in the back court and a looming luxury tax issue.

This could be win/win

I was leaning towards two firsts but went for one 1st and one 2nd. Utah has many picks to play with. Utah will want to start pivoting from the tanking phase if they land Cooper Flagg maybe they are ok will parting with a few picks to get a guy like Barrett.

LOTS OF MAYBES HERE…

Raptors lineup after this trade: S5: Melo, Gradey, BI, Scottie, Jakob Bench: Shead, Battle, Agbaji, Boucher, Mogbo, Walter, Castleton, Lawson and our 1st round pick.

Note: Based on how RJ is playing I think a 1st should get it done however you can make the argument for 2 1st and I can understand it….

++NBA DRAFT++

Ideally I would want Toronto to pick Khaman with their 1st round pick, he can take some of the burden off of Poeltl as they can share minutes between the two of them. He would be a great addition and fill a big hole in the team especially now that Olynyk is gone and Boucher is a free agent.

I'm not sure who they would go after in the 2nd round and it may be hard for them to find playing time as our bench seems to be coming along.

++FREE AGENCY/TRADES++

Raptors fill Garrett Temple's role with Kyle Lowry, giving them a 3rd string PG incase of injuries along with Lowry being true to his word and retiring as a Raptor.

Raptors also get some center depth with Dwight Powell, he has a player option and with the Maverick's decision to get rid of Luka it might sway his decision of leaving the Mavs and entering free agency.

In this mock, Ochai gets traded to the Grizzlies for a few seconds and Vince Williams. I think this is a solid move even with how well he has been playing …

Defense wins championships, I also believe this brings a lot more parity to our starting lineup…

PG IQ SG WALTER SF INGRAM PF BARNES C GIANNIS…

Jakob Poeltl Trade to LAL

Trade details:

Lakers acquire Jakob Poeltl

Raptors acquire Rui Hachimura 2030 LAL swap best first 2031 LAL unprotected first

NBA Draft

Pick 7 (own): C Khaman Malauch, Duke Pick 39 (via POR): PG Tahaad Pettiford, Auburn

Free agency:

None

2025-26 Raptors starting lineup PG Immanuel Quickley SG RJ Barrett SF Brandon Ingram PF Scottie Barnes C Khaman Malauch

2025-26 Raptors bench PG Jamal Shead SG Gradey Dick SF Ochai Agbaji PF Rui Hachimura C Jonathan Mogbo

2025-26 Raptors reserves Jamison Battle, Tahaad Pettiford, Ja’Kobe Walter, A.J. Lawson, Ulrich Chomche (TW), Jared Rhoden (TW)…

Trade #1: Lakers get: C Jakob Poeltl Raptors get: PF Maxi Kleber SF Dalton Knecht SG Shake Milton 2031 LAL FRP Trade #2: Pacers get: SG Ochai Agbaji Raptors get: SG Ben Sheppard 2025 IND SRP 2027 UTA SRP 2028 DAL SRP Sign: C Isaiah Jackson(1 year, $5 mil) Draft: Round 1 7.Khaman Maluach-C, Duke Round 2 39.Tyrese Proctor-PG, Duke 54.Andrew Carr-PF, Kentucky Summary: Here, the Raptors avoid the tax long-term, get good value for Poeltl, add youth, and try and climb up the standings in the East. Rotation: Starters: PG: Immanuel Quickly SG: RJ Barrett SF: Brandon Ingram PF: Scottie Barnes C: Khaman Maluach Bench: PG: Jamel Shead SG: Gradey Dick SF: Dalton Knecht PF: Ja'Kobe Walter C: Isaiah Jackson Rest of Bench: PG: Tyrese Proctor SG: Shake Milton SF: Ben Sheppard PF: Maxi Kleber C: Jonathan Mogbo…

RAPTORS PG-MURRAY SG-RJ SF-INGRAM PF-BARNES C-POELT

NUGGETS PG-IQ SG-BRAUN SF-MPJ PF-GORDON C-JOKIC…

Really Deep squads. Cosest Calls: Lively, Gafford, Edey, Wells, Capela, Podz, Keon Ellis, Keegan Murray, and others….