It's no secret that there was a lot of interest in O.G. Anunoby ahead of this year's trade deadline.
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported the week of the trade deadline that as many as eight teams had been linked to Anunoby, a list that included the Grizzlies, Pacers, Lakers and Nets. It was then reported by The Athletic's Shams Charania on the day of the trade deadline that the Warriors had emerged as a "pretty serious contender" for the Raptors forward.
Ultimately, the Raptors decided not to trade Anunoby because none of those teams could meet their asking price.
MORE: What's next for Raptors following quiet 2023 trade deadline?
That price, it turns out, was quite high. On Friday, ESPN's Zach Lowe revealed that both the Grizzlies and Pacers made offers for Anunoby that included multiple picks, but they didn't get done.
The Nets have been aware since July that Memphis was ready to trade every pick and swap of its own for Durant, sources said. (The Grizzlies have remained steadfast that Bane, Morant, and Jaren Jackson Jr. are 100% off the table in all talks, sources across the league said.) They didn't get far. Durant wanted the Suns, and the Nets worked with him to make that happen.
They offered three first-round picks to the Toronto Raptors for OG Anunoby, sources said, but Anunoby remains a Raptor. The Indiana Pacers also offered three first-round picks for Anunoby, sources said, but could not get a deal done. (The Pacers own extra picks from Boston and the Cleveland Cavaliers.) The Raptors made it clear in trade talks they wanted a high-level player or prospect along with draft picks in any Anunoby deal, sources said. The New Orleans Pelicans, another rumored Anunoby suitor, did not hold serious talks about him with the Raptors, sources said.
Through 45 games this season, Anunoby is averaging 16.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.1 steals, 2.0 assists and 0.8 blocks on 45.7 percent shooting from the field. While he has proven to be a valuable two-way player with the Raptors, there have been rumblings of him wanting a bigger role and out of Toronto altogether.
MORE: O.G. Anunoby provides signature response to trade rumors
O.G. Anunoby contract details
Anunoby signed a four-year, $72 million extension with the Raptors in 2020. That includes a $19.9 million player option for the 2024-25 season, making him a potential unrestricted free agent in the 2024 offseason.
| 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | |
| O.G. Anunoby salary | $17,357,143 | $18,642,857 | $19,928,571 (PO) | UFA |
