NBA Rumors: Raptors Were Eyed by Execs as Possible Durant, Butler Trade Partners

Despite being in 13th place in the Eastern Conference this season with a 17-37 record, the Toronto Raptors were reportedly viewed as a candidate to trade for Kevin Durant or Jimmy Butler prior to last week's NBA trade deadline.

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, some NBA executives were "fearful" of the Raptors getting involved in the sweepstakes for Durant or Butler, similar to the manner in which they acquired Kawhi Leonard from the San Antonio Spurs prior to the 2018-19 season.

The Miami Heat ultimately dealt Butler to the Golden State Warriors in a multi-team deal that brought back Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and a first-round draft pick.

Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns decided to hold onto Durant after he expressed that he had no interest in getting traded back to a Warriors team he spent three seasons with previously, per ESPN's Shams Charania and Ohm Youngmisuk.

The execs' concerns may have been well-placed, as the Raptors did end up making a somewhat surprising move given where they are in the standings.

Toronto traded Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk a first-round pick and a second-round pick to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for one-time All-Star wing Brandon Ingram.

Ingram, who had been set to hit free agency during the offseason, then signed a three-year, $120 million extension to remain with the Raptors moving forward.

The 27-year-old Ingram has not played since December due to an ankle injury, but trading for him suggests the Raptors are looking to turn things around and get back to their past winning ways as soon as next season.

Ingram, Scottie Barnes, R.J. Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Jakob Poeltl and Gradey Dick are all under contract for next season, giving Toronto a solid talent base to build around.

Durant and Butler would have perhaps been more significant additions since Durant is a 15-time All-Star and two-time NBA Finals MVP, while Butler is a six-time All-Star and two-time NBA finalist, but they are 36 and 35 years old, respectively.

Fischer noted that the Raptors have long held interest in KD, though, as they looked into the possibility of acquiring him when he requested a trade from the Brooklyn Nets in 2022.

Ingram likely fits the Raptors' timeline a bit better than Durant and Butler, as he is still among the team's most experienced players despite being only 27.

Injuries have long been an issue for Ingram, as he has played in more than 55 games just once in the past four seasons, but he is always a productive scorer when healthy, averaging 23.0 points per game over his six seasons with the Pelicans.

The Ingram move coupled with the belief that they might have tried to go after Durant or Butler is seemingly proof that the Raptors are intent on getting out of the doldrums now that they are trending toward a third straight season outside the playoffs.