Trail Blazers Prioritizing OG Anunoby Trade With No. 7 Pick In NBA Draft

OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors, NBA Trade Rumors, Portland Trail Blazers
NBA Analysis Network

The Portland Trail Blazers are entering the 2022 NBA offseason with a nearly clean slate. They have cap space to spend and the No. 7 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft to use to upgrade their roster.

The plan this offseason is to build things up around Damian Lillard. Portland cleaned house and bottomed out during the 2021-22 season, but they are not expecting a lengthy rebuild. If things go according to plan, they will be right back in the mix for a playoff spot as early as next season.

Some work will need to be done to accomplish that, but the Trail Blazers at least sound like they have a plan in place. The key part of that plan is using the No. 7 overall pick as the centerpiece of a trade.

That is an excellent asset for any team to have and Portland will assuredly be aiming high when it comes to a return package.

LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: This Blazers-Raptors Trade Lands OG Anunoby In Portland

Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, in his recent NBA intel write-up, revealed who they could be targeting.

“The Trail Blazers are expected to retain starting center Jusuf Nurkic, and they are prioritizing Toronto Raptors swingman OG Anunoby in any return for the No. 7 pick in next week’s draft, sources said.”

This is a bit of a change-up from what we had previously been hearing. For a long time, Jerami Grant of the Detroit Pistons was thought to be the No. 1 trade target for Portland. But, it seems they have changed course and are now setting their sights on OG Anunoby, who reportedly isn’t happy with his role on the Toronto Raptors.

In Portland, he would be the second or third option on offense behind Damian Lillard and potentially Anfernee Simons. He would fill their need for a big-bodied, two-way wing player. OG Anunoby will be key to their defensive gameplan as their new ace on that end of the court, capable of locking down anyone on the perimeter and possessing the size to defend forwards as well.

LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: This Blazers-Raptors Trade Lands OG Anunoby In Portland

Things could always change between now and the NBA Draft, as there is always some posturing being done by teams to put themselves in the best position during negotiations. But, one thing feels for certain, and that is the Portland Trail Blazers making some sort of trade involving the No. 7 overall pick.

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