The New York Knicks’ run to the second round of the NBA postseason might prompt the front office to be even more aggressive in acquiring a star. The Toronto Raptors, a team who is expected to change the fundamental shape of their roster, might be able to help them out with an OG Anunoby trade.
Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report mentioned that many around the league expect Karl Anthony-Towns, a New Jersey native and CAA client who could be jettisoned by a Timberwolves team looking to build around Anthony Edwards, to eventually end up in New York via a trade.
If Towns doesn’t end up coming to town, the Knicks may need to pivot to Anunoby, who had been linked to them in the past. Masai Ujiri won’t trade the league’s steals-per-game leader unless he can get a haul, but the Knicks might be willing to oblige him.
Pincus mentioned Anunoby as a potential trade target for the Knicks. New York needs a wing defender who can stroke it from 3-point range, while the Raptors could use the extra draft capital along with some promising young scorers that can help beef up what has become a lackluster bench.
2022-23 NBA All-Defensive teams:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 9, 2023
First team: Jaren Jackson Jr., Brook Lopez, Alex Caruso, Evan Mobley, Jrue Holiday
Second team: Bam Adebayo, OG Anunoby, Dillon Brooks, Draymond Green, Derrick White
NBA rumors: Toronto Raptors SF OG Anunoby eyed by Knicks
The Knicks have a promising young guard in Immanuel Quickley that is in need of a new contract. If they don’t want to pay that amid some retooling around Jalen Brunson, they could help him find a new home in Toronto. Amid some struggles in the postseason, RJ Barrett’s value might be low enough for the Raptors to snag him at a discounted price.
The Knicks have multiple first-round picks in their possession for such a moment like this, while the Raptors stripped most of their draft capital away in an attempt to acquire Jakob Poeltl. Losing Anunoby to a rival might be hard to swallow, but the Raptors could get a standout player in return.
If the Raptors can land at least one first-round pick (protected or not) and either Barrett or Quickley as the headlining player in the return package, Ujiri should at least consider making such a move.
While they won’t get a defender that is anywhere close to OG in the trade, this could help them add more half-court scoring punch while recouping picks and trading Anunoby one year before he is in line for a massive contract they might not pay.
According to NBA dot com, these are the 12 players that Anunoby spent the most time guarding this season: Mitchell, DeMar, KD, Brown, Jokic, Kawhi, Butler, Harden, Randle, Luka, Beal, Giannis. 12 all-stars across all 5 positions. Doesn’t get much more versatile than that.
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) May 9, 2023
The Anunoby trade rumors are not going to die down, especially when there are motivated buyers with players that could help the Raptors out.