Kings Net Raptors’ OG Anunoby in ‘Way-Too-Early’ NBA Trade Proposal

Despite a shocking 2022-23 NBA season that led the Sacramento Kings to a top-three seed in the Western Conference, the front office kept this roster structure extremely similar to maintain continuity and chemistry this past summer. However, it doesn’t mean GM Monte McNair won’t capitalize on an opportunity to drastically improve the team if presented.

League rosters remain relatively solidified as we roll into training camps and pre-season, but there are still moving pieces in play. No further developments of G Damian Lillard or G James Harden’s trade requests effectively place front offices in a waiting game to make any sudden changes to their squads. Once those situations smooth out, others may soon follow.

Another trade situation to keep note of is between the Toronto Raptors and F OG Anunoby. The former NBA champion has been floating around in a few trade conversations and rumors throughout the offseason, with many wondering if he could eventually find a new team in the wake of his upcoming player option in 2024.

Enter Sacramento, as adding a versatile two-way threat like Anunoby to their already talented roster could be the final push this team needs to cross the championship hump. ClutchPoints recently presented a hypothetical trade between the Kings and Raptors to send last year’s league steals leader to the West Coast:

Sacramento Kings receive: OG Anunoby

Toronto Raptors receive: Kevin Huerter, two first-round picks

In this deal, the Kings send off a valuable contributor to last year’s success in G Kevin Huerter with two future picks to secure Anunoby’s talents. It’s far from a cheap price to pay, but it effectively gives Sacramento a much more balanced offense with the ability to match up better against the league’s best backcourts.

ClutchPoints’ Jedd Pagaduan dives into the rationale of this deal a bit deeper, noting how this move, while unpopular, could ultimately position the Kings up nicely to take the next leap in team prestige:

"Trading Kevin Huerter after just one season will not sit well at all with Kings fans. Huerter was such a huge part of the Kings' top-ranked offense, as he ran dribble handoffs to sweet, sweet perfection with Domantas Sabonis...But during the 2023 NBA playoffs, Huerter struggled big time. With the Golden State Warriors zeroing in on Red Velvet, Huerter failed to make as much of an impact as he would have liked. The Kings benched him during crucial moments in favor of Malik Monk...This simply cannot continue for the Kings if they were to build off of last season's results. They will need players who are more matchup-proof, someone who can stay on the floor for the team even if his shot isn't falling — OG Anunoby, for example."

Starting Anunoby in the other guard spot alongside G De’Aaron Fox, paired with an already talented frontcourt of F Keegan Murray, F Harrison Barnes, and C Domantas Sabonis gives Sacramento one of the best starting units in the association. A fairly risky move, however might be the necessary one to make.

Anunoby has already proved he can be a key contributor to a championship team in Toronto, and could be the final piece to the puzzle in Sacramento.

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