The Toronto Raptors‘ fanbase was hit with a major bombshell on Tuesday morning, as Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report reported that executives around the league believe that OG Anunoby is dissatisfied in his current role. A trade is unlikely, but this latest report makes it seem like there is a modicum of interest in trading for him.
Anunoby averaged 17.1 points per game last year while showcasing his usual blend of elite defense and solid spot-up shooting. With an affordable multi-year contract already agreed to, it makes sense why teams across the league are currently fiddling with their cap sheet to make a run at him.
Fischer mentioned the Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz as a team that could look to engage with Toronto in Anunoby talks. They have the assets needed to entice Toronto into a trade that helps keep the Raptors alive as a viable contender in the Eastern Conference.
These three trades would come as a major shock to the Raptors’ organization, but they could come to fruition if Masai Ujiri is willing to listen to some of these teams’ demands. Losing Anunoby is highly unlikely, however, as other teams will need to massively overpay to get him.
3 wild Toronto Raptors trades involving OG Anunoby
1. Portland gives the Raptors a solid bench
With Portland already having moved off of CJ McCollum, this shows that there are no sacred cows in that organization in their quest to build a winner around Damian Lillard. While Hart has some nice moments with the Blazers and Little was a monster before his injury, moving both of those two for Anunoby might appeal to Joe Cronin.
In addition to the draft capital, Toronto would be adding an ultra-versatile wing who averaged 19.9 points per game with Portland in Hart. Little started to break out in 2022 before his injuries, as he averaged 9.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game in Chauncey Billups’ debut season.
Will the Toronto Raptors trade OG Anunoby to the Trail Blazers?
Toronto has interviewed projected Top 10 picks Dyson Daniels and Bennedict Mathurin, which could give away some hints related to their draft strategy if they end up with the No. 7 overall pick. A lineup with that pick in the starting lineup, while Little, Hart, and Precious Achiuwa beef up the bench wouldn’t be the worst idea ever.
The Raptors could also try to pluck Anfernee Simons away from Portland in a sign-and-trade, but this move might be more realistic. With Hart and Little giving the Raptors a much better bench and yet another Top 10 pick on the roster, Toronto will have set themselves up for success in the post-Anunoby era.
2. Denver sends a starter and a Sixth Man
The Nuggets are reportedly open for business, as they could be willing to part with some of their draft assets to build a winner around Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Pairing Anunoby with Michael Porter Jr. at the cost of most of their bench might be something that this front office considers.
Gordon could be the replacement in the starting lineup, as he could man the power forward spot while showing off his high-flying style. The actual prizes of this deal are two recent first-round picks, as they could give the Raptors one of the East’s best benches.
Will the Denver Nuggets take OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors?
The 6-9 Nnaji, picked just two spots after Achiuwa, had made nearly 44% of his 3-pointers this year. These numbers make him an ideal young stretch big man to develop. Even though he was competing with veterans, Hyland was able to average 10.1 points per game as a rookie.
In the slight chance that Anunoby is offloaded, the Raptors likely won’t pull the trigger unless they get a star of equal or greater value in return. One of the few exceptions could come in the form of this trade, as it would make the Raptors’ roster incredibly deep while getting a solid starter in exchange for Anunoby.
This is the most unlikely of these three hypotheticals, but this could be the best offer Toronto can present in exchange for Gobert. While he has his faults, he is one of the best defensive big men the game has ever seen. He would be a spot of instant defense who takes the Raptors’ unit from good to great.
Getting Boucher to Utah via a sign-and-trade is useful for money-matching purposes and helping the Jazz add a proven big in this league that can come right in and help replace their towering French big. Perhaps the perpetually injured Khem Birch gets back on track.
Will the Toronto Raptors trade OG Anunoby for Rudy Gobert?
Gobert has some flaws in his game offensively, but Toronto should be more than willing to acquire him, considering how he could completely change the scope of their defensive outlook. Only surrending two firsts, which will be late anyway, to Utah wouldn’t be outrageous for Gobert.
Utah’s defense appears to be a bit overrated, as their issues guarding the perimeter have become more occurrent. Anunoby and Mitchell could be a dynamic duo for years to come in Sal Lake City while Gobert helps the Raptors star to contend in the East.