The Portland Trail Blazers There’s a big summer in front of them — yes, I know to say this every week.
And while the Blazers may have the opportunity to be a free agent — Discussed last week — The trade table is the most effective way to dramatically improve this roster, thanks to the young assets, draft topics and trade exceptions recently collected by General Manager Joe Kronin.
Ogugua “OG” Anunoby Toronto Raptors At the 23rd pick in 2017. Do you remember that night?Former Blazers executive Neil Orcy in the evening picks the 15th and 20th picks Sacramento Kings For the rights of the 10th pick and Zach Collins San Antonio Spurs.. Hah.
This was the last time the Blazers had the opportunity to acquire lottery-level talent, but it was handed over to Donovan Mitchell, Bam Adebayo, John Collins, Jarrett Allen, Anunoby, Kyle Kuzma and Dillon Brooks.
After 5 years fast forward, Portland will return to the lottery. On the seventh pick, they can choose high upside talent. They can also use picks to trade young but known quantities and can be quickly tracked to raise the team’s ranking.
Last week, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fisher confirmed Portland’s interest in British-born wings.
The Trail Blazers are widely expected to pursue a trade scenario with the 7th pick to add a complementary veteran alongside All-NBA guard Damian Lillard, with Anunoby alongside Jerami Grant. Is considered to be one of their main targets.
Later, in Fisher’s “Don’t Aggregate” podcast, I heard that the Blazers were the most active in the pursuit of Anunoby. Anunoby may be dissatisfied with his role in Toronto’s pecking order after Scottie Barnes of the Rookie of the Year arrives.
“Whether the Raptors are interested in moving him or not, Portland tells me as a team that is very trying to invade to add OG Anunoby through their trade exceptions to pair with Damian. It has been repeatedly characterized by Lillard. “
But why should Portland consider Anunoby?
First, the 24-year-old is one of the league’s most team-friendly contracts, earning about $ 18 million a year in the next three seasons, including player options in the final year. He is a solid two-way player with size and length and can compete on both sides of the ball.
But if you allow me to exaggerate. With a wingspan of 7’2 and 6’7, Anunoby has been everything the Blazers needed since Nicolas Batum was shipped to the small forward position. Charlotte Hornets To be honest, apart from Batum’s playmaking ability, Anunoby is a great player when comparing them by their prime numbers. And Anunoby’s true prime is definitely a few years away.
The former Hooger is actually one of the best defensive wings in the league and can skillfully defend positions 1 to 4. He can also hold himself against several centers, thanks to his natural defensive instinct.
And on the other side of the ball, Blazers fans only need to see Toronto visit Portland earlier this season. Anunoby hit 60% of the three (6 of 10), scoring 29 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals.
Throughout the season, he averaged 14.5 shots, 36% 3-point shots, 17.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.5 steals and 20.5% utilization. We are fighting for contact with Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, Burns, and our old friend Gary Trent Jr.
If he had virtually landed in Portland, there’s nothing to say that Anunoby couldn’t enjoy the surge in shots and touches on the Chauncey Billups system.
Anunoby also fits into this roster, as he doesn’t necessarily have to hold the ball in his hand, complementing Lillard’s and Simons’ attacks and compensating for deficiencies in defense.
How is it done?
If Anunoby is at the table, the Blazers should break up comfortably on the seventh pick of the next draft. Meanwhile, Anunoby’s $ 17.3 deal fits well into Portland’s $ 20 million trade exception, helping Raptors’ president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri free up space, where it’s needed, at the lottery level in the center. Adding talent has the potential to improve the roster.
But the Raptors are more likely to want and probably have the right to do so. So let’s say the Blazers loosen the deal with this year’s relatively attractive second round pick (36th) and second grade guard Keon Johnson. Toronto may also ask for Nassir Little, but it may be a bridge too far away.
Anunoby’s 7th pick, 36th pick, and Keon Johnson are fair to both sides. Conveniently, the deal will take place on the night of the draft, allowing all players to sign up next year and eliminate sign-and-trade issues after July 1st.
Conclusion
I don’t know if Anunoby is available. However, Fisher has clearly heard multiple whispers that Kronin is at least asking about Anunoby.
For the past five years, the team has two small, aggressive guards, big names with “theoretical” tools that impact both sides of the ball, and have inserted a limited number of small power forwards here. ..
I’m not trying to downplay the contributions of Alfa Luke Amine, Maurice Harkless, Carmelo Anthony, Robert Covington, Norman Powell, but they are limited, one-dimensional, or they It was unable to physically fulfill the required role.
OG Anunoby is a young but well-established small forward who can contribute at above average levels on both sides of the ball. He doesn’t want to get the ball like Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons, and has provided serious defensive weapons to the gloomy team at best in recent seasons.
Obviously, it would have been easier for Stots to choose him five years ago, but we can’t live in the past. It also gives the Raptors a seventh pick, Keon Johnson, and its higher second round pick. Just get it done.
