The Toronto Raptors have been inundated with trade rumors in the last few months, as both Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby have been thrown into the rumor mill at different times. With Siakam’s Hawks rumors having died down, attention could switch to Anunoby.
With Siakam still standing out as one of the best players in the league at any position and Scottie Barnes likely trying to become the Raptors’ feature player for the next few seasons, Anunoby (an impending free agent) might be viewed as the least important of those three players.
The Raptors have been resistant to trading Anunoby in the past, as the combination of inadequate veterans being sent back to Toronto in trade package and an unwillingness by other teams to include unprotected first-round picks prevented any finalization. If the Raptors start losing, however, things could change.
The Raptors will likely seek some sort of high-end draft compensation and either one intriguing veteran who can replace Anunoby or a young player who can emerge as a long-term building block. One of these three players could end up becoming a solid Anunoby replacement.
3 players the Toronto Raptors could replace OG Anunoby with.
3. Buddy Hield
Hield is about as far away from a stylistic match as possible when compared to Anunoby on the defensive end, but he remains a terrific 3-point shooter who can join the Toronto rotation and make an impact in one of the areas that impacted the team most.
The Pacers had considered trying to acquire Anunoby in the past despite the emergence of Bennedict Mathurin and the drafting of Jarace Walker. That is a solid foundation, but the Pacers could end up pulling this trade off if they want to jump into the contending tier firmly.
Will the Pacers get OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors?
Hield is another impending free agent, but he could potentially be a player Toronto holds on to. Not only is Anunoby heading towards free agency, but Gary Trent Jr. might earn a contract that is close to nine figures. Hield and Gradey Dick might be the cheaper replacement for that duo.
Getting Hield as one of the main prizes in an Anunoby deal might be seen by some as slightly disheartening, but few veterans that Toronto might be able to acquire can transition to a complementary role as seamlessly. Getting Hield for a potential free agent like OG might be good business from Masai Ujiri.
2. AJ Griffin
The Hawks were willing to package Griffin together with DeAndre Hunter in their last-ditch attempt to acquire Pascal Siakam, which shows that he can be had for the right price. Perhaps Griffin, as the tip of the spear in Atlanta’s Anunoby package, might end up being more intriguing.
Griffin looked like a tremendous shooter during his rookie season, which is a continuation of the strong season he had at Duke despite injury problems. Of all Atlanta’s young players facing a tough road to playing time, Griffin has the highest ceiling.
Can the Toronto Raptors land AJ Griffin for OG Anunoby?
Griffin would instantly come right in and be one of the more impactful players on the Raptors roster. While he might be a tier below Gradey Dick as a shooter, Griffin’s size and defensive versatility might give him a higher ceiling. Atlanta might not have a role for him long-term.
Anunoby could give Trae Young another 3-point outlet target who could be the best two-way wing he has ever played with. Meanwhile, Toronto would add a potential building block player for a much-heralded free agent on an expiring contract.
1. Ziaire Williams
If you could draw Masai Ujiri’s ideal player (other than just sketching Anunoby) up on a board, it would look like Williams. While the stringy Williams doesn’t look anything like the muscular Anunoby, the style of play, and strengths in their games look quite similar.
Williams might get some extra rotation time to start the year due to the whole Ja Morant mess surrounding the Grizzlies, but that could dissipate once he returns. His minutes per game dropped last season, and his 3-point shot remains below average due to the lack of reps.
Can the Toronto Raptors fix Ziaire Williams?
Darko Rajakovic not only has a history of working with young players all over the NBA, but he was a Grizzlies assistant for the last few seasons. Both parties have familiarity with one another, which could lead to the former Stanford star coming up in trade talks.
The Grizzlies were willing to give up a ton of assets in order to acquire Anunoby, and talks could resume if the front office sees an opening in what is still a wide-open Western Conference. Anunoby can still net an impactful player as an expiring player, and Williams has potential.