The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly been in the market for a marquee player that can be a game-changer for them. Unfortunately, not a lot of good options exist on the market right now. They’ve been heavily linked with Zach LaVine, a scorer who is on an inflated contract and is currently watching his current team be better without him. There are other options to explore, and an option that sits in Toronto.
OG Anunoby is expected to head into free agency this season. There’s been tension between the Raptors front office and Anunoby, with the English forward reportedly wanting out last winter and is now unlikely to stay without a massive contract extension from Toronto. With the Raptors missing the boat on moving Anunoby when his value was at its highest, they could get some value back by moving him now for the Lakers’ most prized young asset.
Trade Details
Toronto Raptors Receive: Austin Reaves, Taurean Prince, 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL)
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: OG Anunoby
The Lakers part ways with Austin Reaves, a valuable young player on an affordable long-term contract, but upgrade by acquiring a perennial All-Defensive Team contender Anunoby.
The Toronto Raptors Begin The Process Of Rebuilding
The Raptors have forcefully avoided a rebuild for years now. Since the end of the 2019-20 season, it’s been clear that the Raptors aren’t contending among the top of the East anymore. They’ve missed the playoffs twice in the last three years but have a future wing to build around with Scottie Barnes. With Pascal Siakam also having taken shots from Masai Ujiri as he waits for a possible supermax extension, the Raptors could begin their teardown by moving Anunoby and then dealing Siakam.
If Barnes is the future superstar of the Raptors, pairing him up with a talent like Austin Reaves makes sense. He’s averaging 14.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, showing versatility across backcourt positions. He already has chemistry with current Raptors point guard Dennis Schroder and would thrive in Darko Rajakovic’s new offensive system in Toronto. The Lakers will not want to part with him and would likely offer the likes of Rui Hachimura and maybe even D’Angelo Russell before Reaves, but the promise Reaves shows while being 25 years old could be a bet that the Raptors are more comfortable with.
The value of future Laker picks was discovered last year, as they managed to get three rotational players for Russell Westbrook and one top-four protected pick in 2027. By 2029, there’s no telling where the Lakers could be but it definitely will be a team without LeBron James and likely Anthony Davis, though Davis could play that long in LA but be way past his athletic prime.
The Lakers Complete A Monster Defensive Unit
The saying ‘defense wins championships’ is often repeated by analysts around the NBA for a reason, as historic trends suggest a team needs to be a capable defensive unit to compete for a title. Even with the Nuggets’ average defense throughout the season, they locked in during the playoffs and comprehensively beat everyone else. If the Lakers add Anunoby to a team that’s being led by Anthony Davis, that could become the most feared defensive tandem in the NBA.
Anunoby is averaging 15.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 steals this season. A frontcourt of him with Davis and Jarred Vanderbilt would be a cheat code defensively and could free LeBron to play more point guard again in Reaves’ absence. He’s previously suggested it as a role he can play to Laker coaches and adding Anunoby would further unlock that. He’s shooting 42.5% on catch-and-shoot opportunities while also showcasing a deeper offensive bag by playing out of the mid-range and as a secondary or tertiary ball-handler.
Losing Reaves would cause an offensive blow, but a reimagined role for LeBron along with the scoring presence of D’Angelo Russell could help tide the ship. Anunoby would catapult the Lakers into immediate contention from being a fringe contender, especially if they can get him at this price and feel comfortable giving him a long-term extension to keep him on the team.
Doubling Down On A Cogent Defense
The Lakers have enough mercurial offensive weapons to get themselves out of tough spots when needed, but the defense has been lacking this season. The various injuries have played a part, but this roster hasn’t delivered on the same defensive intensity we saw through the end of last season and the playoffs. That can still be rediscovered without Anunoby, but adding Anunoby would make them a nightmare matchup for every team in the NBA.
OG also will get an opportunity to show off his offensive skills due to the dwindling offensive options in LA, something he’s wanted to do with Toronto for years. Lineups with him could also lead to more Christian Wood minutes, as he can impact the box score with his scoring but can’t defend a link. Anunoby and possibly Vanderbilt would provide defensive cover for more experimental lineups.
The Raptors can start to fully empower Scottie Barnes into becoming the franchise’s No. 1 option, as he currently finds himself competing with Anunoby and Siakam for touches. Barnes and Siakam can still be a complementary pair, especially with a guard like Raves to tie it all together. But Anunoby’s future on the franchise looks cloudy and the Lakers could help him compete for titles again.
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