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NBA Rumors: Damian Lillard's Blazers 'Would Love' to Trade for Raptors' OG Anunoby
January 30, 2023
As the Portland Trail Blazers seek answers to get back into the playoff mix in the Western Conference, they are keeping an eye on what the Toronto Raptors are going to do ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline.
On The Hoop Collective Podcast, ESPN's Brian Windhorst noted the Blazers "would love to try to get" OG Anunoby from Toronto if he is made available.
It remains unclear if the Raptors are even going to sell at the deadline. If Anunoby is made available in trade talks, the asking price is going to be astronomical.
SNY.tv's Ian Begley (starts at 6:50 mark) noted the New York Knicks offered multiple first-round picks for Anunoby at one point earlier this season, but the Raptors declined it.
Per Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, Toronto wants a deal similar to what the San Antonio Spurs received from the Atlanta Hawks for Dejounte Murray if it's going to trade Anunoby.
The Spurs got three first-round picks and a pick swap from Atlanta in the Murray deal.
One reason the Raptors likely have a high price on Anunoby is his contract. The 25-year-old is signed through next season with a $19.9 million player option for 2024-25. He's having a fantastic season with 16.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game.
The Raptors have been one of the NBA's biggest disappointments this season. They are 12th in the Eastern Conference and rank 20th in defensive rating after being a top-10 team in that category in 2021-22.
Portland also finds itself in 12th place in the Western Conference with a 23-26 record, but the front office is still trying to find ways to build a contending team around Damian Lillard.
Despite being three games under .500 at this point, the Blazers are only three games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the No. 4 seed and homecourt advantage in a first-round playoff series.