Jerami Grant was a prime example of a player that bet on himself and elevated his NBA career by taking on a larger role. His decision to leave the Denver Nuggets to play for the Detroit Pistons drastically changed the trajectory of his production and earning potential. Could OG Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors benefit from a similar path, but via trade?
Have you ever felt like you had more to offer? NBA players can get similarly stuck. You may be stuck at a dead-end job. You feel pigeonholed. You’re fetching coffee and printing out copies when you’ve got ideas that could change the company. You think.
Sometimes, a player gets saddled with a limited role. They may have more to offer, while their team doesn’t need them to use it. Some have suggested this is the case with Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors. Who can say?
By contrast, some couldn’t have more to offer – they’re already giving as much as possible. Perhaps we’re talking about the owner of your company. They pour blood, sweat, and tears into the organization. Nobody could ask them to do more than they’re doing.
We’ve never seen Anunoby in a more featured role than the Raptors have offered him. On the other hand, the Dallas Mavericks could offer him a sizeable role. The team needs another key player alongside Luka Doncic, particularly a wing that can guard multiple positions with upside offensively. Could it be Anunoby?
NBA Analysis Network Trade Scenario
Toronto Raptors Receive: F Davis Bertans, 2025 First-Round Pick (DAL), 2027 First-Round Pick (DAL), 2029 First-Round Pick (DAL)
Dallas Mavericks Receive: F OG Anunoby
Some NBA players are the same. We’re talking about the league’s superstars. How could they be asked to do more when they’re carrying their team? For example, nobody could ask Doncic to do more. He’s already responsible for one of the largest statistical outputs in the NBA. If anything, the Mavericks should be asking him to do less. Could adding Anunoby put them in a position to do that?
Why, yes. That is a lot of draft capital. Reportedly, it’s what it’s going to take to land Anunoby. Rival executives have speculated that if the Raptors decide to move him, they could bring in a return that rivals what the Utah Jazz received for Donovan Mitchell. Anunoby is worth it.
Anunoby may not be the same type of offensive star, but he’s one of the best 3-and-D wings in the entire NBA. More than just a man-to-man defender, Anunoby’s defensive playmaking makes him special. Moreover, he may have some offensive playmaking he hasn’t flashed yet.
The Mavericks could badly need it. They’ll offer Anunoby more freedom to handle the ball, and if he does well with it, they’ll be happy to have paid this price for him. Even if Anunoby is a playmaking wing, the Raptors may not need him. This team already rosters Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam.
That’s ample playmaking at the wings. Anunoby may be the odd man out. Of course, that’s not the main reason for moving him. There’s no functional reason these players can’t co-exist if Anunoby is content in his current role. The Raptors would move him because they’re 21-27.
It may be time for this team to start preparing for the future. If they agree, landing three first-round picks for Anunoby is a good way to do it. Nobody’s going to offer them much more than that. As for the Mavericks, having Anunoby next to Christian Wood in the frontcourt makes for an intriguing combination of offensive firepower with potentially enough defense to make major noise in the playoffs with Doncic.
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