One NBA writer believes the Atlanta Hawks should acquire OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors. Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed that the Hawks trade AJ Griffin, De’Andre Hunter, a 2024 first-round pick, a 2027 second-round pick and a 2030 second-round pick to the Raptors for Anunoby.
“Atlanta still needs to improve defensively around Trae Young after ranking just 22nd overall (115.4 rating) last season,” Swartz wrote. “Anunoby, 25, led the league in steals (1.9 a game) and received the most first-place All-Defensive team votes (14) of any wing in the NBA last season.
“At 6’7″ and 232 pounds, Anunoby is long enough to defend guards and strong enough to switch onto most bigs. A starting five of Young, Dejounte Murray, Saddiq Bey, Anunoby and Clint Capela would be formidable on both ends of the ball.”
Anunoby averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 2022-23 while shooting 47.6% from the floor, 38.7% from beyond the arc and 83.8% from the free-throw line. He is one of the NBA’s elite perimeter defenders with the ability to guard multiple positions at a high level, which is why several teams have been trying to acquire him from the Raptors this summer.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Atlanta Hawks & Toronto Raptors Updates
Anunoby signed a four-year, $72 million rookie contract extension with Toronto in December 2020. He has career averages of 11.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists. The Indiana product won the 2019 championship with the Raptors over the Golden State Warriors in six games.
Toronto drafted Anunoby with the 23rd overall pick in the 2017 draft. Anunoby is open to staying with the Raptors if he’s able to obtain a more significant role in the offense moving forward, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Atlanta Hawks & Toronto Raptors Updates
The Hawks are interested in trading for Anunoby and Pascal Siakam. They might be better off trying to get Siakam since Toronto wants to keep Anunoby, according to Michael Grange of SportsNet.
Anunoby can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2024. All signs point toward the star staying with the Raptors. However, it can’t hurt the Hawks to try to get him.
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