With the 2026 NBA Draft less than a week away, front offices are working overtime, and the Toronto Raptors are right in the thick of the chaos.
While general manager Masai Ujiri holds the No. 19 and No. 50 overall selections, league insiders suggest Toronto could play kingmaker for a desperate Western Conference rival. According to The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer, the New Orleans Pelicans are aggressively hunting a way back into the first round after mistakenly trading away their original 2026 pick last summer.
Enter the Toronto Raptors, who possess the exact asset New Orleans needs—and a proposed blockbuster trade could completely shake up both rosters.
The Dilemma: Why the Pelicans Are Desperate
Last year, New Orleans took an aggressive gamble, trading away their unprotected 2026 first-rounder to jump into the lottery for big man Derik Queen. While Queen lived up to the hype—landing a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team—the Pelicans’ season flopped, finishing as the 11th seed.
Because they stumbled, that valuable top-10 pick conveyed directly to the Atlanta Hawks. Now, holding only the No. 58 pick, New Orleans is completely boxed out of the first round and short on assets to get back in.
The Mock Trade: A Sneaky Depth Blueprint
To bridge the gap, an intriguing 5-player, multi-pick trade proposal has surfaced that serves as a massive win-win for both franchises.
| Toronto Raptors Receive | New Orleans Pelicans Receive |
|---|---|
| Yves Missi (C) | Gradey Dick ($7.1M Team Option) |
| Saddiq Bey (F) | Jonathan Mogbo ($2.2M Salary) |
| 2026 No. 58 Overall Pick | 2026 No. 19 Overall Pick |
Why the Raptors Do It: Solving the Frontcourt and Wing Depth
For Toronto, this deal centers on maximizing asset value and building roster depth rather than relying on unproven late-first-round talent.
- A Future Anchor: Yves Missi gives the Raptors a legitimate, high-upside young center to develop alongside their core.
- Instant Shooting & Versatility: Saddiq Bey provides tested perimeter depth, wing versatility, and proven floor-spacing.
- Recouping Draft Capital: Losing the 19th pick hurts, but sliding down to No. 58 ensures Toronto still leaves draft night with two prospects.
While moving on from Gradey Dick and Jonathan Mogbo means selling low on two young assets whose stock has dipped, it nets Toronto two established, serviceable rotation pieces ready to contribute immediately.
Why the Pelicans Do It: Redemption in the First Round
New Orleans gets to salvage their asset mismanagement, sneaking back into the top 20 of the draft to secure a cost-controlled rookie. Furthermore, a change of scenery could be exactly what unlocks the untapped potential remaining in both Dick and Mogbo, giving them an environment where developmental minutes are readily available.
With the draft arriving on June 23, keep a close eye on Toronto and New Orleans to see if they finalize a deal before the clock starts.
