Breadcrumb Trail LinksSportsBasketballNBAToronto RaptorsThe coming road stint is bound to generate even more trade rumours as the Feb. 5 deadline approaches Get the latest from Frank Zicarelli straight to your inbox Sign Up Published Jan 17, 2026 • Last updated 13 minutes ago • 4 minute readLos Angeles Clippers' James Harden (1) protects the ball from Toronto Raptors' Ochai Agbaji (30) during overtime NBA basketball action in Toronto on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. Photo by Frank Gunn /THE CANADIAN PRESSArticle contentFive games in eight days, familiar faces and former teammates, historical figures and current faces of the NBA, the Toronto Raptors’ trip out West figures to be as daunting as it promises to be compelling.Advertisement 2THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsArticle contentFor hoops fans, you wouldn’t want it any other way.Article contentArticle contentIt tips off Sunday night in Los Angeles and it will end a week from Sunday in Oklahoma City.In between, there will be two games in the Bay Area on back-to-back nights and a meeting in Portland against a Trail Blazers team that is much healthier than the group that took to the floor at Scotiabank Arena earlier this season.What to expect of the Raptors will be dependent on the health of the roster, which hasn’t been at full strength.How many games will be won will hinge on how Toronto’s offence will operate, not to mention the obvious in how well the defence performs.In Friday night’s home loss to the L.A. Clippers, the Raptors managed to score eight points in the final 6:27 of regulation.Toronto began overtime by going scoreless in the opening 1:39.In mid-March, the Raptors will once again embark on a five-game, eight-day trip, only this time the journey ends in L.A. against the Clippers.The coming road stint is bound to generate even more trade rumours as the Feb. 5 deadline approaches.Your Midday SunYour noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Your Midday Sun will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againArticle contentAdvertisement 3Article contentOne of the teams reportedly keen on moving players resides in the California capital of Sacramento, where the Raptors will visit Wednesday night.We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Play VideoSabonis linked to RaptorsThe Kings have been playing well, coinciding with the return of Domantas Sabonis, whom some in the industry have linked to the Raptors.Former Raptor DeMar DeRozan’s name is being bandied about in trade speculation.Of the areas Toronto must address, one is not the wing position.In fact, the Raptors have a glut of wings, which is why a trade appears to be on the horizon.On the court, the Raptors begin their trip by playing a Lakers team that will be on the back end of a back-to-back.Saturday night, L.A. was scheduled to play the host Blazers.The Lakers entered Saturday having lost four of their past five games, including an odorous 135-117 loss to the visiting Charlotte Hornets.Toronto lost to the Lakers when L.A. came to town on Dec. 3, a night best remembered for LeBron James’ historic 1,297-game double-digit scoring streak being snapped.Advertisement 4Article contentJames scored eight points, but the evening will also be remembered for his game-winning assist to Rui Hachimura, who buried the corner buzzer beater that helped lift L.A. to its win.In the 16 games since James ended his streak of scoring in double digits, he has averaged 26 points.Luka Doncic headed to his native Slovenia for the birth of his second child when the Lakers were in Toronto.The Raptors will get their first look at Doncic this season on Sunday night.Winnable tip SundayAll things being equal, Sunday’s tip is winnable for the Raptors.The night also represents a homecoming of sorts for Brandon Ingram, who broke into the NBA with the Lakers 10 years ago when he went second overall to L.A. in the NBA draft.Once their stay in SoCal ends, the Raptors move up the coast to San Francisco, where they’ll play the Golden State Warriors Tuesday night.The two teams staged quite the show in Toronto on Dec. 28 when Scottie Barnes outdueled Steph Curry in recording an epic 25-rebound triple-double in a 141-127 overtime thriller won by the Raptors.Advertisement 5Article contentHis haul on the glass set a franchise record.Curry is dealing with a quad contusion, while the Warriors continue to be in the rumour mill involving Jonathan Kuminga.Following the Warriors matchup, the Raptors hook up with the Kings.In his return following a two-month injury absence, Sabonis led Sacramento to its win over Washington Friday night.Former Raptors point guard Dennis Schroder also returned, but his absence was the result of a three-game suspension.Under head coach Doug Christie, another individual whose playing days involved Toronto, the Kings are in the midst of a seven-game homestand.The Kings have won four straight heading into Sunday’s game versus the Blazers.Toronto’s visit will conclude the Kings’ extended home stay at Golden 1 Center.Read More Should the Raptors pursue Grizzlies' star point guard Ja Morant? Raptors drain three late three-pointers to defuse Pacers comeback, hang on for road win Undermanned Raptors overmatched by a healthy Philadelphia 76ers team Advertisement 6Article contentShaedon and SGAWhen they visit Portland Friday night, the Raptors will face a Blazers team that will once again feature the likes of Jrue Holiday and Jerami Grant.Each missed Portland’s visit to Toronto when Canadian Shaedon Sharpe netted 36 points to tie his season high in a 112-103 Raptors win.And finally, it’s on to Oklahoma City, where the Raptors will face the reigning champion Thunder to end their Western swing.The night marks the first to two meetings between the Raptors and Thunder, the first of two occasions to watch Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whose one and only appearance in Toronto arrives on Feb. 24.OKC has built a reputation for its stifling defence.The Thunder used its trademark defence to beat Houston Thursday night.“They play with physicality for sure, but that’s what championship organizations do,’’ said Rockets superstar Kevin Durant.“I don’t think they toe the line or anything. I just think they just play swarming basketball, they all rush to the ball, they play physically off the ball, they got great hands.”fzicarelli@postmedia.comArticle contentShare this article in your social networkComments Join the Conversation