7 disgruntled stars that could be traded this summer
O.G. Anunoby, Toronto Raptors
O.G. Anunoby was one of the big question marks at the trade deadline. Would the Toronto Raptors trade him, or wouldn’t they? Masai Ujiri didn’t executed any deal, leaving the wing in Canada with plenty of questions about his future.
The Raptors are in a fascinating spot. Their core is still relatively young, especially when looking at some of the other nuclei in the NBA that are performing well, like the Golden State Warriors. But Toronto was knocked out of the play-in tournament quickly and they seem to be trending in the wrong direction.
That’s why there were so many rumors surrounding Anunoby at the deadline. Additionally, there have been rumblings about Anunoby’s discontent with his offensive role on a team that features Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet.
The situation with Anunoby seems to change day-to-day. According to Yahoo Sports Canada, Anunoby recently said that he hasn’t been approached by the Raptors with an extension, but would be open to that conversation.
The 25-year-old averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game this past season, becoming more of an offensive weapon. He also led the NBA in steals with 1.9 per game.
He’s entering the last year of a four-year, $72 million extension. That deal includes a player option for the 2024-25 season, but odds appear to be against Anunoby choosing to exercise that clause.
One thing worth watching: under terms of the new collective bargaining agreement, Anunoby will be eligible for a more player-friendly extension this summer than he would’ve been otherwise. It still would likely be less than he’d command on the open market.