If you’re a Miami Heat fan, we feel for you. Of every fanbase in the NBA, you must be feeling pretty low now. Damian Lillard has been traded, and he’s not joining your squad. Despite the persistent rumors, Lillard was shipped to the Milwaukee Bucks.
What happened here? Were the Heat too bullish in their offer? Or did the Blazers refuse to trade Lillard to the team he first requested? We don’t know, and in all likelihood, we never will. All we know now is that Lillard will be a Milwaukee Buck.
Yet, all hope is not lost for Miami. This team is fresh off of an NBA Finals appearance. The Heat could still make a major roster upgrade that gets them back to the big dance next season. Could they make a move for O.G. Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors?
The Trade Proposal
Toronto Raptors Receive: G/F Duncan Robinson, F Nikola Jovic, 2027 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2029 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: F OG Anunoby
With that said, the Heat weren’t the only team to miss out on Lillard. In the days leading up to the trade, Lillard was linked to several teams. For a brief moment, the Toronto Raptors were seen as the frontrunners for his services.
What happened here? Well, the fit between Lillard and the Raptors was always questionable. If they’d traded Scottie Barnes for him, they could have contended – but were they building a strong enough squad to justify losing Barnes? Alternatively, the Blazers seemed interested in Anunoby, but he’s exactly the type of player that the Raptors would have wanted to pair with Lillard in the first place.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors & Miami Heat Updates
So, by all accounts, the Raptors refused to include Anunoby. Does that mean that they’ll refuse to move him altogether? Or did the Raptors not see the merit in losing Anunoby if they were adding Lillard? Should they move him for this return?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
That’s not a concern in this deal. The Raptors will officially be rebuilding if they make this move. Above all else, they’re making this move for the draft capital. A pair of unprotected first-round picks ought to be market value for Anunoby.
With that said, the addition of Jovic is intriguing. He’s got some upside. In time, he could be the type of playmaking wing that teams around the league covet. A rebuilding Raptors team would do well to explore his potential.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors & Miami Heat Updates
Meanwhile, they shouldn’t mind taking on Robinson’s contract. It’s not substantial enough to hamstring Toronto altogether, and if they’re rebuilding, they shouldn’t be overly concerned with cap space anyway. Should the Raptors use his contract spot on Anunoby?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
It’s no surprise that the Raptors would want to pair Anunoby with Lillard. He’s the type of 3-and-D wing that would complement any contending team. With that in mind, the Heat are no exception.
If they have reservations about adding him, they’ll have to do with his upcoming contract negotiations. When Anunoby hits the open market, he’ll command a hefty sum. That’s fine. Kyle Lowry’s contract is about to expire, and the Heat are moving Robinson. If they really want to, they’ll be able to afford Anunoby.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors & Miami Heat Updates
They should want to. Once again – this is one of the best 3-and-D wings in the NBA. Adding Anunoby to a frontcourt featuring Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler could give Miami one of the best defenses in the NBA. In that event, we won’t feel so badly for their fans after all.
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