Exploring the Trade Market for OG Anunoby: Could Raptors Get 3 First Round Picks For the Winger?

The NBA trade deadline is Thursday and we’ve already seen a big deal close.

Kyrie Irving was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to the Dallas Mavericks over the weekend in a blockbuster transaction that included multiple players and draft picks.

Another high-profile player with a potential move before the Feb. 9 trading deadline is Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby. The Raptors are a half-game out of the 10th seed, which is bottom in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. Even if Toronto is still in the playoff race, this team is no longer a real contender for winning the conference title.

Report: Celtics among six teams interested in Pistons’ Nerlens Noel

If the Raptors decide to retool or rebuild, Anunoby is a player who could bring several good assets to Toronto.

“OG Anunoby is a player in the league – there is a lot of interest in him.[He plays]probably the most important position in the league with this winger,” ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski said during the network’s “NBA Today” show Jan. 27.

“A 6-foot-7 player, a two-way player. I think there is a belief Toronto could get up to 3 first round picks for Anunoby if they decide to move him. They’ve certainly spoken to his teams to see what the market is for him, and I think virtually everyone on that Raptors team.

Anunoby is a very good 3D player. He can play multiple positions on both ends of the floor and defends perimeter players fairly well. He’s also a solid offensive player. Anunoby averages 16.9 points per game on 36.6 percent shots from 3-point range.

The 2017 first round selection is also signed until next season with a player option for the 2024-25 season. His salary cap is $17,357,143 for this season and $18,642,857 for next season, per Spotrac. So Anunoby wouldn’t be a rental if a team bought it before this year’s trading close.

A potential price of three first-round picks and maybe other assets is pretty high. But for competing teams that need a 3-and-D wing for the playoffs, Anunoby could be one of the best trading targets out there. He could play a significant role in the playoffs for one of these title contenders.

Source: www.nbcsports.com