Toronto Raptors forward O.G. Anunoby may not be with the team for much longer, if what NBA insider Shams Charania is reporting turns out to be true.
“The Raptors are taking calls on O.G. Anunoby,” The Athletic reporter said Tuesday on FanDuel TV. “There’s the Knicks, they’re willing to give up multiple first-round picks for him, but another team that’s emerged the last week or so is the Phoenix Suns.
“They have the assets — eight first-round draft picks at their disposal between now and 2030 — so they’ve got the picks, and they’ve got players. They’ve got guys like Cam Johnson, they’ve got guys on expiring contracts like Dario Saric, Jae Crowder that can kind of replenish your bench.”
Anunoby's name was also mentioned in a different trade rumour Tuesday with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reporting the Memphis Grizzlies could make a run at the 25-year-old.
Despite Anunoby’s best efforts to block out the noise, there's something to the old adage about where there's smoke there's fire.
And while there doesn’t appear to be anything imminent yet, you can never say never. So, let’s take a look at how Anunoby would fit in with these three clubs and what they could offer the Raptors in return.
Memphis Grizzlies
Anunoby’s fit with the Grizzlies is obvious. The toughness and physicality he brings – especially on the defensive end – plays well with Memphis’s rough-and-tumble identity and he would immediately slot in as one of the better 3-point shooters on the team.
Given the down year Dillon Brooks is having, Anunoby could possibly slot in seamlessly as Memphis’s new starting small forward or, with Steven Adams still out, he could even start at the four, moving Jaren Jackson Jr. to centre so Brandon Clarke can return to his usual energizer role off the bench.
Regardless of where he plays, Ja Morant will surely enjoy having another weapon he can kick the ball out to – particularly in the corner – while head coach Taylor Jenkins will have no shortage of ways to use him on the defensive end.