The Toronto Raptors will face some very important decisions at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, as they will see three-fifths of their starting lineup hit free agency. Trade target Pascal Siakam is one of the best names on the market, and Gary Trent Jr. could bolt, but OG Anunoby is also willing to test the waters.
Bringing him back will not be an inexpensive undertaking. The Raptors could pay Anunoby as much as $116 million over four years if they choose to extend him, which should be a fairly accurate depiction of what he could earn on the open market.
The Raptors will likely try to do everything in their power to retain Anunoby, but they must also prepare for a future in which OG bolts town and leaves the Raptors scrambling for a solid replacement. Toronto needs to look at one of these three players if they want to replace him without too much of a drop-off.
3 players who could replace OG Anunoby with the Toronto Raptors.
3. Jaden McDaniels
After the Raptors decided to use some of their leftover cap space on signing Jalen McDaniels, why not go after his brother as well? Both of the versatile forwards can defend well, but younger brother Jaden is clearly the one with the higher offensive ceiling.
McDaniels, currently a member of former Raptors assistant Chris Finch’s Minnesota Timberwolves, might be pushed out due to financial reasons. Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert are eating up tons of money, which could prompt a bidding way for McDaniels in free agency.
Will Jaden McDaniels join the Toronto Raptors?
McDaniels will likely never be as good as Anunoby on either side of the ball, but the Raptors could let Anunoby go if they feel confident in a two-headed monster of Pascal Siakam and Scottie Barnes. McDaniels would help Toronto keep its structure intact without giving Anunoby a nine-figure deal.
McDaniels has proven to be a deadeye shooter who can operate as a complementary role player around heliocentric stars like Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns in Minnesota. If the McDaniels trial run with Jalen works out well, Jaden could be on his way to join him.