The Toronto Raptors are looking anywhere and everywhere in their quest to find a potential trade suitor that can help turn this team into a contender. Masai Ujiri may even do something as drastic as trading away OG Anunoby.
Anunoby, along with Gary Trent Jr. and Fred VanVleet, has been identified as a player that could easily be sent away if the Raptors declaratively state that their current core is not capable of competing for a championship. This is becoming more likely than ever, given some rumors hinting at Anunoby’s irritation.
Bob McCown got the party started on his titular shown, stating that he heard Anunoby is trying to find a way out of Toronto. NBA insider Ric Bucher hinted that Anunoby is not exactly thrilled with his role as a tertiary gunner and defensive stopper behind Toronto’s star talent.
“League sources say that Anunoby isn’t happy in Toronto,” Bucher said. “Although the reason was not made clear, Ujiri has a track record of moving swiftly if a player wants to be elsewhere.” Is there a chance that these latest bombshells, should they be real, expedite an Anunoby trade?
"OG Anunoby is a player around the league there is great interest in... I think there's a belief that Toronto could get as many as 3 first round picks in a deal for OG Anunoby if they decided to move him."@wojespn on the Raptors and OG Anunoby 👀https://t.co/PjljdzuzZi
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 27, 2023
Toronto Raptors trade rumors: Is OG Anunoby unhappy?
While Anunoby’s offensive game has not taken a ton of steps forward since last year, getting a player that can score 17 points per game regularly while shooting the ball well from 3-point range should be enough to get contenders interested in acquiring him.
Anunoby’s defense will always be the straw that stirs his hypothetical drink. While the Defensive Player of the Year hype has died down a ton, it will still be a shame if he misses the All-Defensive team again.
Anunoby is in the middle of a four-year, $72 million contract. Considering his past level of production, that money is incredibly economical. Still, Toronto is insisting on a Dejounte Murray-type package to acquire him. In this inflated trade market, they could have their thirst quenched by a needy team?
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard rumors of Anunoby not liking his role.
Nick Nurse on what OG Anunoby brings to the #Raptors and his answer to reports of him being unhappy with his role in Toronto: “I really like him. I think he is a tremendous person and a great two-way player.” pic.twitter.com/Gqyx6CdIUo
— Adam Laskaris (@adam_la2karis) June 24, 2022
With Pascal Siakam about to get a monstrous contract extension in the near future and Scottie Barnes establishing himself as the player Toronto is going to build their franchise around, the Raptors may not have a new contract ready for Anunoby. Getting a big trade for him would make him happier and set Toronto up for success.