The Portland Trail Blazers have long coveted Toronto Raptors star OG Anunoby, according to NBA insider Ryan Wolstat of The Toronto Sun. The Raptors are interested in acquiring Damian Lillard from the Blazers.
“The Blazers have long coveted Anunoby, though he’s heading for unrestricted free agency and has little incentive to extend now when he can get much more by waiting until the summer,” Wolstat wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “If Portland gets the chance to talk to Anunoby about his intentions, he makes sense as a centerpiece of a deal”
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Anunoby is looking for greater ball-handling opportunities that can result in a commensurate salary increase.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
“The 26-year-old swingman has a player option for the 2024-25 season, took meetings with several agencies before leaving Klutch Sports for CAA and informed various representatives, sources said, that he is looking for greater ball-handling opportunities that can result in a commensurate salary increase,” Fischer wrote.
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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
With Jerami Grant earning a five-year, $160 million contract from the Blazers, the market for Anunoby could be all the more complicated to resolve on a new contract. Maybe that’s what pushes the Raptors to trade Anunoby so they don’t lose him for nothing next summer if the talented defender declines his 2024-25 player option and enters free agency.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
