Toronto Raptors Receive: G/F Josh Hart, G Keon Johnson, No. 7 Overall Pick
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G/F OG Anunoby
As has been noted ad nauseum, the Portland Trail Blazers are in desperate need of a big, two-way wing to pair with superstar point guard, Damian Lillard. He has seen his squad bleed points on defense too many times, while he tries listlessly to keep up with his opponents in a shoot-out.
After former General Manager Neil Olshey tried and failed to build a contender centered around a three-guard lineup featuring Lillard, CJ McCollum, and Norman Powell, newly minted GM Joe Cronin has torn down the shoddy and far too small foundation that Olshey laid down and has made it clear that he intends to do things very differently.
Grabbing a defender with Anunoby’s size, length, and prowess will go a long way towards building a defensive unit worthy of Lillard’s offensive greatness. Giving up Josh Hart and the seventh-overall pick may seem a steep price to pay, but it might not even be enough according to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer.
Including Keon Johnson or maybe the 36th-overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft might be enough to swing this deal, and Portland Trail Blazers fans should be happy with that price. Damian Lillard would be. As for the Raptors, instead of landing a starting-caliber center in this deal, they grab the chance to acquire via the draft instead.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS This Trail Blazers-Raptors Trade Sends OG Anunoby To Portland
At pick No. 7, Memphis’ Jalen Duren should still be available. Duren would give Toronto an athletic, versatile, defensive-minded anchor to match the energy, speed, and explosiveness of their existing core.
Josh Hart adds depth and playmaking to a roster that sorely needs both of those things, and Keon Johnson gives the Raptors another young flier that could develop into a contributor in Toronto’s inspired development track.