Earlier this week, I ranked the teams that have been linked to O.G. Anunoby ahead of the trade deadline based on what they could offer the Raptors.
Today, we're taking a slightly different approach by ranking the same teams based on fun factor.
To recap: New York and Phoenix have been mentioned as potential suitors for Anunoby should the Raptors trade him, which still seems very much up in the air. Additionally, Memphis, New Orleans and Denver have been mentioned as teams some believe could make a move for him.
Which team would be the best landing spot for Anunoby? Let's take a closer look.
MORE: Who says no? Debating potential trade packages for O.G. Anunoby
Ranking potential O.G. Anunoby suitors based on best fit for Raptors forward
5. New York Knicks
Not that New York would be a bad fit for Anunoby, but he probably doesn't elevate the Knicks to the same level as the other teams on this list. They'd still be behind the likes of the Celtics, Bucks and 76ers in the Eastern Conference, whereas him going to the Grizzlies or Suns could turn them into the favorites to come out of the Western Conference.
In saying that, Anunoby would almost certainly be a favorite of head coach Tom Thibodeau because of what he brings defensively. The downside? He might play even more minutes under Thibodeau than he does under Nick Nurse. Let's get this man some rest.
4. Phoenix Suns
This would basically be slotting Anunoby into Jae Crowder's role.
While Crowder is a more aggressive 3-pointer shooter, Anunoby is younger, a better creator and a more dynamic defender. Tough of a season as it has been to date for the Suns, a five-man lineup of Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Anunoby and Deandre Ayton has the potential to be special.
Not just now, either. The Suns have apparently started to assess their "post-Paul future," but Bridges, 26, Booker, 26, Anunoby, 25, and Ayton, 24, are each under the age of 27. The best should be yet to come for each of them.
3. New Orleans Pelicans
If the Pelicans were healthier, they might be at No. 1 on this list.
Anunoby is sort of like Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones in one — a lockdown defender who can stretch the defense out to the 3-point line. He's the type of defender the Pelicans need next to CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, and he'd add to their firepower offensively.
I think the Pelicans could make the best offer for Anunoby if they went all-in. They'd be a pretty good fit for him, too.
2. Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are already difficult to score against, currently owning the second-best defensive rating in the NBA behind the brilliance of Jaren Jackson Jr. Now imagine adding Anunoby to the fold.
Yeah, that's some nightmare fuel.
The Grizzlies would benefit from adding a more dynamic 3-point shooter than Anunoby, but he has proven himself to be a solid floor spacer. He's gone from taking 3.0 3-pointers per game and making them at a 36.5 percent clip in his first three seasons in Toronto to taking 6.0 3-pointers per game and making them at a 37.5 percent clip over his last three seasons.
The Grizzlies are already in the mix for the best record in the Western Conference. The addition of Anunoby could put them over the top.
1. Denver Nuggets
As I mentioned here, it's hard to imagine the Nuggets being the team that gets Anunoby at the trade deadline because they don't have the assets other teams do, which is a shame because it would be a perfect match.
First and foremost, the Nuggets could do with a defensive specialist. Enter Anunoby, who is one of the league's most versatile and disruptive defenders. Denver doesn't need much help offensively — it currently has the best offensive rating in the NBA — but Anunoby would give them another capable shooter and athletic cutter to play off of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic.
There are some concerns that Anunoby wouldn't get the ball as much as he might be hoping for, but he'd get opportunities to create some when Murray and Jokic take a seat on the bench. Besides, you don't hear people complaining about playing with Jokic. He has a way of bringing the best out of everyone.
