Appearing on FanDuel TV (Twitter video link), Shams Charania of The Athletic adds a couple more teams to the list of potential OG Anunoby suitors, suggesting that the Pacers and Pelicans have registered some interest in the Raptors forward and are worth keeping an eye on.
Anunoby would have local appeal in Indiana, having played his college ball for the Hoosiers before he was drafted by Toronto in 2017. He would also make sense as a long-term fit among a Pacers core that includes guards Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin and center Myles Turner.
The retooling Pacers may not be in position to offer up many of their own draft picks for a player like Anunoby, but they do control 2023 first-rounders from Cleveland (top-14 protected) and Boston (top-12 protected). Those picks – especially Boston’s – figure to land late in the first round, but could be used to help sweeten a trade offer.
New Orleans, meanwhile, remains well stocked with draft assets as a result of blockbuster trades involving Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday. Besides holding all their own future first-rounders and a handful of swaps, the Pelicans also control the Lakers’ unprotected 2024 pick (with the option to defer it to 2025) and the Bucks’ unprotected 2027 pick.
Those extra selections would put the Pelicans in position to make a strong offer for Anunoby without mortgaging their future. In New Orleans, the former Hoosier could supplement a core that features Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum and could form a fearsome defensive duo alongside talented young forward Herbert Jones.
Charania reiterates that Phoenix and New York are among the other teams with interest in Anunoby, while Ian Begley of SNY.tv confirms that the Knicks conveyed to the Raptors earlier in the season that they were comfortable offering three first-round picks for the 25-year-old. Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca reported this morning that the Knicks were widely believed to be willing to make that sort of offer.
Begley stresses that those conversations about Anunoby occurred before the Knicks reeled off eight straight wins in December and says it’s unclear what sort of protections would have been on those first-rounders. New York controls a handful of protected picks from other clubs, as we outlined in our earlier story.
Anunoby is currently sidelined due to a sprained left wrist, but Charania hears that the injury is not considered serious and that the forward could return to action when the Raptors return to Toronto next week following the conclusion of their current road trip.
OG is more likely to stay with Knicks and Pacers, not Pelicans and Suns
PT is the most important thing to sign a huge contract
Pelicans and Suns have enough wing starters
NO is on the verge of becoming a legitimate contender, OG makes so much sense and with those picks they can def offer more than any other team. I think they go all in, best part is it doesn’t mortgage their future.
NO is not on the verge of becoming a legitimate contender, two years from there
They have depth (solid bench)
Murphy
Jose
Jones
Marshall
Lewis
Nance
Trade Graham
Pelicans, Thunder and Grizzlies are model for Rockets
New Orleans already is a legitimate contender, but only when Zion plays. 17-12 record with Zion this year (roughly a 48 win team) versus 9-14 without Zion. They can make all the trades they want but if Zion doesn’t play, they’re toast.
How about a 3 team deal where OG goes to pelicans, Gafford and temple to raptors + pelicans 1st picks, Wizards get hayes + two 2nd picks from raptors.
Ughh, na Cade OG worth way more than that bud.
I can see the Kings becoming a dark horse team on OG
Tyrese Benedict OG (draft in another forward) and Turner that’s a really solid team for Indiana.
Right now Indy has 3 first round picks so they have the capital to trade for OG without it hurting them to much. Have to remember as it is they are a playoff side in the east when fully healthy. Give them OG aswell and the young guys continuing to get better this side will be a force to be reckoned with.
The deal I’d try make is
OG and Thad Young for Buddy Heild, Andrew Nembhard and 2 firsts (Celtics and Cavs this year).
Nembhard would be a big W and Heild would allow them to let GTJ walk and keep the spacing alive. Then your adding 2 firsts and getting back something for Thad who will likely leave fro nothing
I like your trade idea. Go Pacers!
Duarte instead of Nemhard and we have a deal.
Pacers fan or raptors fan?
I suggest Andrew as I think he is the better player with more potential, also younger and currently a rookie. Not to mention I think Indy is well covered with Tyrese the starter for the next 10 seasons and TJ a very solid back up. Duarte was solid last season but underachieving this year behind Buddy and Benedict. And by trading Buddy away I think he could be kept as the back up SG to Benedict. If I’m Indy I happy to give up either but if I’m the raptors I’d rather Andrew
OG fits perfectly in NOLA payroll before his extension and Toronto can get multiple young 6.9 + picks
Mathurin plays the wing. He’s Pacers future at the 3. So why would they be interested in OG. Nothing here.
He does fit in better in NO. I think that could happen. Seems he will be moved though.
Your reason for him not being the pacers is cause Benedict is the 3. But think he’s a better fit at the pelicans who have Ingram Herb Trey and Zion that can all play the 3…..
Long term I think Benedict plays the 2 anyway…
Pacers fan and I agree with your assessment. I like Duarte as the backup 2 but I’ll trade him in a heartbeat for OG.