OG Anunoby was one of the most sought-after players at the NBA trade deadline, and playoff teams like the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors could target the talented forward if their postseason runs disappoint.
Many NBA observers expected the Toronto Raptors to be major sellers at this year’s NBA trade deadline. The team was struggling to stay in playoff contention and they had several pieces that would be very valuable to contending teams around the league. Yet, they did the opposite in February.
Related: NBA Power Rankings – Ranking all 16 teams in the 2023 NBA Playoffs
The organization did not move any of their stars — including impending free agents Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent — and actually made a trade to add talent for a playoff run. In the end, they were quickly bounced from the NBA Play-In tournament and seem on a path to a major roster shakeup this summer.
Anunoby could potentially be available again in the offseason, not just because he is a player on the rise, but because there are some around the NBA that believe is the best player on the team. Even better than two-time All-Star Pascal Siakam, as one anonymous Eastern Conference general manager said in a recent report from Heavy.com NBA writer Sean Deveney.
- OG Anunoby stats (’22-’23): 16.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.9 SPG, 39% 3PT
However, the real juicy bit of intel from the report is which teams that same GM believes will be serious contenders for the talented wing player in the offseason.
“The Knicks are in a good position to really look at using the picks they have to get a wing defender who can solidify the rest of the roster. And I’d look out for Detroit. Dwane Casey was OG’s first coach. They are going to look to get out of their rebuilding mode sooner rather than later and they have the assets to do it. New Orleans is in the same boat. The Warriors would have trouble making it happen but I know some of them on that staff really love OG.”
– Heavy.com report
The New York Knicks were reportedly interested in Anunoby in February and are believed to be among several teams that had offers including three first-round picks turned down. However, with several young Knicks players having strong finishes to the season, maybe those picks and some of those players might be a more appealing offer in the summer.
As for the Golden State Warriors, the team has one of the most bloated payrolls in the NBA, so it will be interesting to see what they would give up and what the Raptors would be willing to take back in a potential deal.