Knicks Rumors: NY Previously Discussed Offering Multiple 1sts in Trade for OG Anunoby
The New York Knicks were prepared to pay a steep price for Toronto Raptors wing OG Anunoby earlier this year.
SNY's Ian Begley reported Thursday that New York "was comfortable offering multiple first-round picks" before it reeled off an eight-game winning streak in December.
Anunoby obviously remained a member of the Raptors, and their willingness to move him may not have changed. The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reported Tuesday there was doubt around the league that Toronto would trade either Anunoby or Pascal Siakam absent an "enormous" return.
At 22-27, the Raptors are 12th in the Eastern Conference. While only a half-game separates Toronto from the final play-in spot, resisting the urge to pack it in for this year and focus more on the future might get tougher as the Feb. 9 trade deadline approaches.
The franchise's outlook is even murkier because Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. are both eligible to become free agents in the offseason. Siakam will become an unrestricted free agent in 2024 as well.
The Toronto Star's Bruce Arthur reported Monday that at least one team was prepared to put three first-rounders on the table in return for Anunoby.
Even assuming those picks had some level of protection attached to them, that kind of return would help accelerate a Raptors rebuild. The front office could instead flip those picks for an established star.
Since the Knicks' offer of multiple first-round picks for Anunoby came before their collective performance improved, they may have since cooled their pursuit.
The 6'7" forward would help fortify New York's defense. He's averaging an NBA-high 2.1 steals, and he ranks 14th among small forwards in FiveThirtyEight's defensive RAPTOR metric. Quentin Grimes, whom Anunoby would presumably replace, is 39th in defensive RAPTOR at the shooting guard position.
The Knicks also have the kind of flexibility where they could send one or more first-rounders to the Raptors while maintaining the assets necessary to complete another marquee acquisition.
But a trade always requires the cooperation of both parties. Even if New York is still interested in Anunoby, Toronto doesn't appear all that inclined to negotiate a deal.
