NBA Trade Rumors: Raptors Seeking Donovan Mitchell-Like Package for O.G. Anunoby

If O.G. Anunoby ultimately gets traded before the Feb. 9 deadline, the Toronto Raptors are going to ensure they get a massive haul in return.

According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, "Anunoby is one of the big fish in this year's trade market. Executives who have spoken to Toronto say the Raptors are looking for a Donovan Mitchell-level package for Anunoby—and are under no pressure to trade him at all."

Mitchell was traded from the Utah Jazz to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the offseason for Collin Sexton, Lauri Markkanen, Ochai Agbaji, three unprotected first-round picks in 2025, 2027 and 2029 and two first-round pick swaps in 2026 and 2028.

While Anunoby is only 25 and an excellent two-way wing (16.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.1 SPG), he's never been an All-Star or the top offensive option for a team. Mitchell, 26, has already been a four-time All-Star and is averaging an elite 28.3 points per game in the postseason during his young career.

In other words, it's hard to imagine the Raptors getting a Mitchell-level package for Anunoby if that's what they are truly holding out for.

But a change may be coming. The Athletic's Sam Amick reported on Wednesday that "there has been chatter about [Anunoby] being unhappy dating back to last summer, and a source with knowledge of his situation said he would prefer a bigger role—whether it's in Toronto or elsewhere. The Raptors' offensive style under longtime coach Nick Nurse, it seems, remains an issue."

So that remains a situation to monitor heading into Thursday.

Because Toronto has struggled this season, going just 25-30 and sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference, players like Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. have seen their names pop up in trade rumors.

Barring a major change, Siakam may be safe, with Michael Grange of Sportsnet reporting on Tuesday that the "expectation that Siakam will be traded by Thursday is low-to-non-existent, according to sources."

If the Raptors really are looking for a Mitchell-level package for Anunoby, he probably isn't going anywhere either. That leaves VanVleet and Trent—who both have player options for next season they likely will decline, it should be added—as the most likely players to be moved.

The Raptors will have to decide what direction they want to go in before anything goes down. If they believe they can fight back into the playoff picture, perhaps they'll stay put. But if they feel a lost season coming, being busy at the deadline makes far more sense.

But if Anunoby moves, it's going to come at a significant cost. That much seems certain.