An OG Anunoby trade from the Toronto Raptors may be in the works this offseason. According to Jake Fischer, the forward star is feeling unsettled up north. Fischer also mentions the Utah Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers as teams with significant interest. This past season, Anunoby averaged about 17 points, six rebounds, and three assists per game. He also shot over 36 percent from three and averaged 1.5 steals per game. Anunoby is more than just a “three-and-D” molded player, he can truly be the difference for a team when it comes to playoff contention.
Two OG Anunoby Trade Ideas
Star-swapping
Utah Jazz receive OG Anunoby, Chris Boucher (via sign-and-trade), Malachi Flynn, and a 2023 first-round pick.
Toronto Raptors receive Rudy Gobert.
The Raptors played much of this past season without a traditional center. For the most part, it worked. Come playoff time however, versus the Philadelphia 76ers, it was clear that the team needed big man help. After more playoff disappointment from the Jazz, one of their stars may be on the chopping block. Toronto can flip their Anunoby situation to a good one in hopes of snagging Gobert. He’ll help create a terrific frontcourt in Toronto and have the team back in potential championship contention.
If Utah is truly interested in Anunoby, one can imagine them dangling Gobert in a deal as other options on the roster may not be as enticing to the Raptors. Anunoby can immediately solve the Jazz perimeter defense issues, while also potentially scoring 20 points per game in an enhanced offensive role. Losing Gobert creates a hole in the interior for Utah, but they can help address this by bringing in Boucher. Finally, Flynn can play valuable minutes off the bench.
Portland Beefs Up
Portland Trail Blazers receive OG Anunoby and a 2022 second-round pick.
Toronto Raptors receive Eric Bledsoe and the #7 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Portland will do everything in their power to keep Damian Lillard happy. They cleaned house this past offseason but kept their superstar. For this reason, they need to be committed to building the best team possible around him.
This can all start with Anunoby. Portland has solid players here and there already, but Anunoby enters as an immediate starter. He’ll greatly help this team on both ends. It’s enticing for the Trail Blazers to keep their number seven pick, but Anunoby is already established and ready to contribute right away. He’s also just 24-years-old, so he has a couple of years until he reaches his prime.
Toronto does this for the sole reason that Anunoby wants to leave or demands a trade. The team has plenty of solid young talent, so adding the number seven pick will only add to that. The Raptors have a solid reputation for being able to develop young players, as seen with Scottie Barnes this past season, and there will be plenty of talent available that early in the draft. Bledsoe is also a veteran option who can contribute off the bench as the Raptors will be targeting another playoff berth next season.
