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Grade the Trade: Unique B/R swap sends OG Anunoby to Dallas

By Mike Luciano

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 24: OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors takes part in warm ups before playing the Detroit Pistons in their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on March 24, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 24: OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors takes part in warm ups before playing the Detroit Pistons in their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on March 24, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Raptors have put themselves in a box, as they have refused to trade either Pascal Siakam or OG Anunoby while refusing to consider a trade for either of them. Some teams around the league have to be banking on the idea of Toronto eventually caving in and getting rid of him.

The Raptors may not get a huge haul back for him if they choose to make this move, likely due to his impending free agency, but that doesn’t mean a team like the Dallas Mavericks could be desperate enough to maximize their championship window with Anunoby.

The Mavericks will be one of the worst perimeter defensive teams in the league, as the dynamic duo are both huge defensive negatives. To put things incredibly lightly, Anunoby is an upgrade over those two.

This Bleacher Report trade has Dallas, who hasn’t generally been in on Anunoby in the last few months as some of the other contenders, making a move for Anunoby that shakes up the balance of power in the Western Conference. Should Toronto do it?

Grade the Trade: Toronto Raptors send OG Anunoby to Mavs in B/R deal

Green would be an immediate impact player who has shown competency on both ends of the floor. Hardy was a potential No. 1 overall pick prior to a disastrous G Leaue Ignite stint, showing the level of athleticism and offensive talent Darko Rajakovic could end up with. He’d be a perfect Gary Trent Jr. replacement.

This trade isn’t terrible, it’s just not what Toronto is looking for if they decide to get rid of Anunoby. With Dallas largely drained of first-round picks, young players are all they have left to offer for Anunoby. Will Masai Ujiri be OK with that, or will he insist on more future draft capital?

As good as Green, who will ultimately be the centerpiece of this deal, can be, is there any world in which he becomes a player equal to or greater than what Anunoby can provide? This seems like pulling off a trade for the sake of making a deal, which Ujiri rarely does.

If this is still the same front office that turned down Memphis’ offer of multiple first-round picks for Anunoby, they likely won’t do the same for one slightly above-average player, a roll of the athleticism dice, and a garden-variety big man who wouldn’t get any rotation time.

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