The Toronto Raptors are expected to be a somewhat important name in trade talks this offseason, as the front office will need to tale some big swings to help Toronto sustain all of the momentum they picked up in their surprising 2021-22 season. Will that desire to improve helo facilitate an OG Anunoby trade?
Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report has reported that Masai Ujiri told teams around the league that Toronto’s “top six” players (which consisted of the five starters and Precious Achiuwa) were not available in trade talks. That doesn’t mean that Ujiri won’t be willing to flip one of them in the offseason, however.
Toronto’s desire to add a star center has been well documented, and trading away one of their starters could be one way to add a game-changer at the position. Anunoby could be that big trade chip who gets moved, as there is some speculation around the NBA that he could be on the chopping block.
According to Fischer, front offices around the NBA believe that Anunoby has grown dissatisfied with his role in Toronto, which has led to his name being thrown in trade rumors. Fischer mentioned the Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers as two teams interested in his services.
The word surrounding OG Anunoby’s trade candidacy, featuring Portland and Utah; New York’s options at point guard if they do strike out on Jalen Brunson, latest coaching intel from Charlotte, and more @BR_NBA: https://t.co/Tbr8q0GRRd
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) May 31, 2022
NBA Trade Rumors: Will the Toronto Raptors trade OG Anunoby?
It’s easy to see why teams are interested in Anunoby’s services. On top of the fact that he is one of the best defenders in the league at any position, OG averaged 17.1 points per game on 44/36/76 shooting splits. Just a few weeks away from turning 25 years old, Anunoby’s best basketball is ahead of him.
Utah has been looking to move one of either Rudy Gobert or Donovan Mitchell in the offseason, and Anunoby could be the headliner of a potential trade package. Portland has been looking to build a contender around Damian Lillard, meaning that Anunoby could be on the move to the Pacific Northwest if they part with the No. 7 pick.
Fischer is reporting that Toronto’s asking price for Anunoby is more significant than what the Pistons wanted for fellow Blazers trade target Jerami Grant. Anunoby is reportedly worth either two first-round picks or a first-round pick and a promising rookie scale contract on the open market.
Lot going on here with the Blazers in their pursuit of somehow getting LaVine, Anunoby and Grant https://t.co/XYvy027eZS
— Will Gottlieb (@Will_Gottlieb) May 31, 2022
Fischer mentioned that Anunoby “has not directly expressed discontent” with his situation. It appears as though Ujiri is not hellbent on trading him.
Even though Ujiri has tried his best to show that his best six players are off limits in trade talks, Anunoby might be the most likely of those six to be moved. Toronto could get quite a haul for him, but Nick Nurse will need to figure out how to replace him on the defensive end of the floor.