One NBA writer is proposing that the Miami Heat acquire OG Anunoby and Gary Trent Jr. from the Toronto Raptors in a blockbuster trade. Lee Tran of Fadeaway World proposed the following trade between the Heat and Raptors:
Miami Heat Receive: OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr.
Toronto Raptors Receive: Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, 2030 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Anunoby averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists last season for the Raptors while shooting 47.6% from the field, 38.7% from beyond the arc and 83.8% from the free-throw line. Toronto drafted Anunoby with the 23rd overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. He signed a four-year, $72 million rookie contract extension in December 2020 and is eligible to sign a four-year, $116 million extension with the Raptors.
Anunoby has career NBA averages of 11.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists. He won the 2019 championship with the Raptors over the Golden State Warriors in six games. The New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies have been heavily linked to Anunoby, who recently left Klutch Sports Group for CAA, but Toronto is not interested in trading the swingman.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr., Miami Heat & Toronto Raptors Updates
Meanwhile, Trent Jr. averaged 17.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists last season for the Raptors while shooting 43.3% from the floor, 36.9% from 3 and 83.9% from the free-throw line. The 24-year-old, who made 166 3-pointers in 2022-23, opted into his 2023-24 player option worth $18.5 million.
“There is no doubt that this deal would make the Heat a much better team,” Tran wrote. “Inserting Gary Trent Jr. and OG Anunoby into the starting lineup would ensure the team has adequate spacing for Jimmy Butler, and the team would remain one of the best defensive squads in the league with this move.”
The Heat are currently trying to trade for Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard, who has requested a trade and only wants to get traded to Miami. However, the Blazers have not been impressed with the Heat’s offers for Lillard.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Gary Trent Jr., Miami Heat & Toronto Raptors Updates
If Miami is unable to acquire Lillard, perhaps the franchise should call the Raptors and make an offer for Anunoby and Trent Jr.
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