Grade the Trade: Raptors-Rockets proposal centered on No. 4 pick

The Toronto Raptors appear to be willing to make some big changes on their roster, with names like Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby finding themselves in the rumor mill once again. The trades are afoot, with some fans and observers eyeing a very quick rebuild.

While the Portland Trail Blazers’ package of Anfernee Simons and the No. 3 pick seems to be the preferred haul for Toronto, the idea of trading with the Houston Rockets, who own the No. 4 pick after the conclusion of another dreadful season, might hold some appeal as well.

Not only are the Rockets in pole position for James Harden, but Ime Udoka and Rafael Stone have signaled a desire to trade away some big names in order to acquire a star that can help them win now. Anunoby could be one of those players, and

Kelly Iko of The Athletic proposed a swap that sends Anunoby to the Rockets for a combination of young players, the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and a first-round pick in the future. Is this enough value for a player like Anunoby?

This Raptors-Rockets trade sends OG Anunoby to Houston.

Eason and Martin are both intriguing additions for Toronto. Eason is a very Raptors-y player that can switch and defend, all while averaging 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game as a rookie. He could immediately emerge as a viable candidate to succeed (and improve upon) Chris Boucher on the bench.

Martin has averaged 10.5 points per game and nailed an astounding 54.5% of his shots in the pros, but one has to wonder how much of his offensive production came from being able to have a long leash on an awful team. He’ll be solid in Toronto, but will he be “second-best player in an OG Anunoby trade” good?

The No. 4 pick is worth acquiring despite the fact that all of the top three prospects will be off the board. Amen and Ausar Thompson will be at Toronto’s fingertips, as are Anunoby replacements like Houston’s Jarace Walker or Villanova’s Cam Whitmore. 

However, this deal is not perfect, which prevents it from getting the A-grade. The No. 4 pick in what has become a three-player draft might take some of the wind out of Toronto’s sails, and neither Eason nor Martin has a professional ceiling close to what Anunoby can provide.

Grade: B+