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NBA Trade Rumors: 5 OG Anunoby trade ideas Raptors should be open to

By Elliot Reeder

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the 2023 Play-In Tournament at the Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andrew Lahodynskyj/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 12: O.G. Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the 2023 Play-In Tournament at the Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andrew Lahodynskyj/Getty Images) /
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De’Andre Hunter (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
De’Andre Hunter (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

OG Anunoby to the Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks also face an important offseason with a lot of potential change as well. After a disappointing 41-41 season followed up by a 1st round playoff exit, Atlanta must figure out how to improve. Two areas they really need to improve are defensively and 3-point shooting. Well, Anunoby fits both categories. Slotting Anunoby alongside a backcourt of Trae Young and Dejounte Murray makes a lot of sense, and playing off of those two could improve Anunoby’s game as well.

On the flip side in terms of what Toronto would add, Hunter is an interesting player. He averaged 15.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game this year as the starting SF for the Hawks. While the former No. 4 overall pick hasn’t taken the steps forward many have hoped, he is still just 25 years old and has shown flashes of a true two-way player.

I believe he is a better defender than what he has shown in Atlanta, and pairing him with Barnes may help him unlock his game on that end. I think Hunter could be a guy that could use a change of scenery. Even if he doesn’t take big steps forward, he still has a solid floor as a 15 PPG guy who will shoot 45% from the field and 35% from deep and is a solid defender.

Griffin might be the best piece coming back in the trade for the Raptors. The 19-year-old is coming off a rookie season in which he averaged 8.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1 assist per game on 46.5%/39.0%/89.4% splits. He has true 3&D potential in my opinion, and still has three years remaining on his rookie deal. He’s definitely a piece you’d like to have.

The 15th pick allows for the Raptors to quickly get another young player in the fold to form a young core alongside Scottie Barnes and now Griffin. Even Hunter isn’t too far outside the timeline of that group at 25 years old with four more years left on his deal. To give an idea of who the Raptors could land at pick No. 15; Cason Wallace, Nick Smith Jr., Jordan Hawkins, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Jett Howard, Kobe Bufkin, Dariq Whitehead, and Dereck Lively are a few players being mocked in that neighborhood.

It is also possible that Toronto could pair this 15th pick with their 13th pick to either move up into the top 10 or pursue another player on the market.

In this trade, Toronto also picks up a future first-rounder that originally belonged to Sacramento (that Atlanta picked up in last year’s Kevin Huerter trade). The pick is lottery protected in 2024, if not conveyed it would turn into a top 12 protected pick in 2025. If not conveyed then, it would turn into 2nd rounders in 2026 and 2027. While this might not be the sexiest return on the list, I think it is one that can keep the Raptors competitive in the short term if they want to or it provides some young assets to help in a rebuild.

(*Note, the Raptors would need either VanVleet or Trent Jr. to opt out in order to have the space to make this trade happen, as Hunter and Griffin are set to make roughly $5 million more this year than Anunoby. But if either one or both of those guys do opt out, then the Raptors will have the space to make the deal*)

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