Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F OG Anunoby, G/F Gary Trent Jr.
Toronto Raptors Receive: F/C Anthony Davis
The appeal of this trade for the Toronto Raptors may depend on how valid the recent rumors surrounding OG Anunoby are.
It’s been suggested that he grew dissatisfied with his ball-handling reps with the emergence of Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes last season. If that’s true, the Raptors would have an incentive to move on from the 3-and-D wing. Keeping unhappy players is generally bad business.
Of course, that impacts their evaluation of this deal. If they’re trading a player they ought to trade, along with Gary Trent Jr., in exchange for Davis, that’s great value. On the other hand, they could get squeamish about this price if the Anunoby rumors are all smoke.
Having said that, the Lakers could see an opportunity here. If Anunoby is truly unhappy in Toronto, and the Raptors are moving him, they may be able to get a better return in a deal involving him.
LATEST NBA NEWS AND TRADE RUMORS: This Lakers-Nets Trade Sends Kyrie Irving To Los Angeles
After all, Anunoby is only 24: a rebuilding team may part with a considerable asset to acquire him. Here’s a trade that has the Lakers capitalizing on that opportunity to land an even higher-impact player.