Toronto Raptors
Why It Makes Sense for the Portland Trail Blazers
OG Anunoby perfectly fits the mold of Portland’s biggest needs, a young wing player who can play defense. Last year Anunoby led Raptors forwards in defensive box plus-minus and led the entire team in defensive win shares.
He also made some big jumps on the offensive end, his largest area of weakness coming into last season. His true shooting percentage jumped nearly six percent mainly due to a big jump in his three-point shooting. With Anunoby, Portland will have their small forward position locked up long term by a defensive reliable complementary player.
Giving up Zach Collins would be tough but his injury history combined with his rookie contract running out next season means it may be time to look elsewhere for a power forward either with the 16th pick or in free agency.
Why It Makes Sense for Toronto:
Anunoby is a valuable piece for Toronto’s future but his payday is coming up. If the Raptors want to save cap space for the 2021 free agency class trading him for picks and young players who will command less money may be their ideal move.
The Raptors have other young players who can help fill Anunoby’s role such as Terrence Davis, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, and Chris Boucher. At the same time, they have a lack of young talent down low. Serge Ibaka may be leaving in free agency and Marc Gasol is creeping closer to retirement each passing day.
Bringing in Zach Collins switches out Anunoby for another young promising player while at the same time acquiring a first-round pick for next season, making it soon enough to be actually valuable for the Raptors short term.