Some rumors just don’t go away. They follow you. Some NBA rumors refuse to quit, too. No matter what happens, they persist. Eventually, they’ll either come to fruition or they won’t.
For example, look at the Toronto Raptors. This team has been subject to constant rumors for the better part of two years. The Raptors are trading Pascal Siakam. They’re trading OG Anunoby. Yet, both men are still on the roster. Is there any substance in these rumors?
There must be, right? After all, the same suitors keep getting linked to these players as well. Out of all of them, the Atlanta Hawks have been the most prominent. We constantly hear that they’re interested in one Raptors forward or another.
Here’s a deal that has them finally landing Anunoby.
NBA Trade Proposal — Atlanta Hawks Land OG Anunoby
Toronto Raptors Receive: G/F Bogdan Bogdanovic, 2024 First-Round Pick (Top 14 Protected – SAC via LAL), 2029 First-Round Pick (ATL)
Atlanta Hawks Receive: F OG Anunoby
With that said, it’s worth asking where rumors come from. Sometimes, they come from within. Someone has access to a front office’s thinking, and they tell the world.
Other times, they come from outside. Some rumors simply exist because a lot of people think something ought to happen. Look at the Raptors. Why wouldn’t they rebuild? This team missed the playoffs in 2022-23.
They’ve got a foundational player in Scottie Barnes. He’s remarkably similar to Siakam, and Anunoby is due for an extension soon. Why wouldn’t the Raptors make a trade?
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings Updates
Perhaps they would. Perhaps they’d trade for Damian Lillard – that was a recent rumor as well. We shouldn’t assume that the Raptors want to rebuild. With that said, let’s imagine that they do. Is this a good return for Anunoby?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do This Deal
All contracts are not created equally in the NBA. Anunoby’s next one is likely to be lucrative. He’ll be worth every penny to a contending team. Anunoby is one of the best 3-and-D wings in the NBA. With that said, the Raptors do not appear close to contention.
So, they may want to avoid awarding him his well-deserved contract. If they agree, this is a good return for Anunoby. The Raptors are landing a distant, unprotected first-round pick here. Moreover, the protections on the pick that’s coming from Sacramento aren’t likely to hold.
The Kings should be a playoff team. In all likelihood, the Raptors are getting a pair of first-rounders here. Rumors suggest that they’d like more for Anunoby. The Raptors may want to adjust their thinking. The market is changing.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings Updates
Teams are unlikely to give up three or four unprotected firsts for anyone short of a superstar at the moment. With that in mind, this is a good, future-focused package for the Raptors.
Should the Hawks spare it?
Why The Atlanta Hawks Do This Deal
If the Hawks do this deal, they won’t be trading for a superstar soon. It leaves them entirely without draft capital moving forward. The Hawks gave up three first-rounders for Dejounte Murray. This is as much draft capital as they can legally trade now.
At the same time, they’re spending it on Anunoby. He’ll have value to any contender, but the Hawks should be especially interested in him. This is exactly the type of player that they need to put alongside Trae Young.
A 3-and-D wing like Anunoby won’t take away from his high usage and will complement him on both ends of the floor. Does he overlap with DeAndre Hunter? Sure – but he’s also better.
LATEST NBA TRADE RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings Updates
Moreover, the two can play together with Anunoby manning the 4. If that doesn’t work out, the Hawks could look to move Hunter. After all, he’s no stranger to trade rumors, either.
