The Phoenix Suns’ trade for Kevin Durant inadvertently raised OG Anunoby’s value even further.
Although the Toronto Raptors star had consistently been coveted by many teams for his two-way skills and versatility, the prospect of having to defend a Durant-Devin Booker-DeAndre Ayton-Chris Paul foursome in the playoffs has raised alarm bells around the league.
Over the past 12 hours, several front offices have aggressively started looking at ways to acquire Anunoby.
Three in particular stand out.
“The Memphis Grizzlies remain in play for Anunoby,” Mike Scotto of HoopsHype reported. “The Grizzlies have all their first-round picks going forward and a Top 4 protected Warriors first-rounder for 2024.
“Memphis also has Canadian swingman Dillon Brooks and veteran 3-and-D shooter Danny Green who are both expiring contracts to dangle. Memphis also has a bevy of young rotation players who could fortify Toronto’s second unit.”
If not Memphis, the Portland Trail Blazers are another squad to keep an eye on.
The video speaks for itself. https://t.co/Wza8Rw1IU8
— Game 7 (@game7__) February 8, 2023
“The Raptors like Canadian native Shaedon Sharpe from afar, and Anfernee Simons also has fans in Toronto,” Scotto added.
“In Portland, however, they view Sharpe as a potential All-Star talent and are reluctant to part with the high-flying rookie sensation. Simons is averaging a career-high 21.8 points per game and has carried the CJ McCollum torch as Damian Lillard’s backcourt scoring mate.”
Finally, don’t sleep on the New Orleans Pelicans.
“The New Orleans Pelicans have dangled draft pick compensation as the center of trade conversations with the Raptors for Anunoby,” Scotto continued.
“New Orleans has also made players such as Naji Marshall, Kira Lewis, Jaxson Hayes, and Devonte’ Graham available in talks.”
The photo speaks for itself. https://t.co/apudVWeVrW
— Game 7 (@game7__) February 9, 2023
The one team that has consistently been linked to Anunoby up to this point appears to have taken itself out of contention after getting their massive trade offer rejected.
The new few hours promise to be crazy.
Who will ultimately get Anunoby when everything is said and done? Time will tell.
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A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.
