One NBA writer crafted a trade scenario that involves Toronto Raptors and Memphis Grizzlies with the focus being around elite defensive wing OG Anunoby.
Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley proposes the Raptors send Anunoby to the Raptors in exchange for Brandon Clarke, Ziaire Williams, David Roddy, a 2024 first-round pick (top-four protected, via GSW), and a 2027 first-round pick.
“The Grizzlies need an impact, two-way wing. And they know it,” Buckley wrote. “They pushed hard for both Anunoby and Mikal Bridges at the deadline but came up short. They can’t let that happen again.”
Anunoby averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 67 games with the Raptors while shooting 47.6% from the field, 38.7% from beyond the arc, and 83.8% from the free-throw line. He signed a four-year, $72 million rookie contract extension with Toronto in December 2020 that is fully guaranteed through the 2023-24 season before a $19.9 million player option for 2024-25.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
After firing head coach Nick Nurse, the Raptors may want to look into undergoing a rebuild. Toronto came up short in the 9-10 play-in game, losing to the Chicago Bulls, and failing to qualify for the postseason.
The idea would be to build around Scottie Barnes, who many are intrigued by long-term. With players like Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr., and Jakob Poeltl set to reach free agency, it only further solidifies the timing for a rebuild.
“As for the Raptors, their ingredients are all in place for an offseason overhaul around last season’s Rookie of the Year, Scottie Barnes,” Buckley wrote. “They already moved on from coach Nick Nurse, and they could conceivably lose all three of Fred VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr., and Jakob Poeltl to free agency. Should those subtractions come to light, then trades involving Anunoby and Pascal Siakam are probably in order.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
The Grizzlies attempted to trade for Anunoby before the midseason trade deadline along with Mikal Bridges, sources tell NBA Analysis Network. By acquiring the Raptors forward, the goal would be to gain the type of player the Grizzlies sought when they selected Ziaire Williams with the 10th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
“Anunoby would be a godsend for the Grizzlies. He’s a lanky, disruptive, hyper-versatile defender with a three-ball (career 37.5 percent) and some ability to create his own shot,” Buckley wrote. “In a lot of ways, he’s essentially the finalized version of what Memphis envisioned when it spent the No. 10 pick of the 2021 draft on Williams.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors & Memphis Grizzlies Updates
With Anunoby in the fold, the Grizzlies could add to an impressive core consisting of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. by upgrading the role previously filled by Dillon Brooks. At 25-years-old, Anunoby could be a key contributor for the long haul.
“A quartet of Morant, Anunoby, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. not only appears to be championship-quality right now, but it would have a chance to stay that way for much of the next decade, as the 25-year-old Anunoby would be its senior member. And should Memphis learn it still has holes to fill, it has other picks and prospects to shop around to close any gaps.”
The Grizzlies have a bright future as long as Morant can stay available and focused on the team’s success. He has remained an off-the-court distraction early in the offseason. However, there’s still plenty of optimism about what this core can achieve despite a disappointing first-round exit at the hands of LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
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