The Raptors are playing 4D Chess...
The Toronto Raptors trading OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks caught a LOT of people by surprise. The team that's currently suing the Raptors, with an owner who despises Raptors president Masai Ujiri for fleecing him multiple times.
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A man who actively hates MLSE president Larry Tanenbaum so much that he resigned from the NBA Board over allegations that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had conspired to protect him?
The 10 million dollar lawsuit was seen as an ultimate middle finger to the Raptors, dragging the Raptors organization into a heap of controversy and negative press over allegations that the Raptors STOLE proprietary knowledge.
When Masai Ujiri and head coach Darko Rajakovic addressed the lawsuit, their frustration and anger at the situation was palpable. So how is it that two teams that hate each other SO MUCH managed to broker this deal, or even come to the table?
And why is it that the Raptors gave OG to a division rival when most teams, even those that like each other, try to avoid sending players to the same conference? Just look at the Spurs. They've sent Kawhi Leonard.. Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Jakob Poeltl AND Demar Derozan... but they sent them all East.
Well, duh. Because OG's agent is Leon Rose's son. Case closed. OG will take less to be in NYC. He loves New York. He's happy to be there. Bla bla bla.
But if you actually pay attention, this doesn't make a hell of a lot of sense from the basketball perspective. OG is very tight with Raptors superstar Scottie Barnes. The two have been described as the best friends on the team. Trading a player like OG when he's very much in his prime, even for a haul like Immanuel Quickley and the contract of RJ Barrett feels like an out-of-character move unless the Raptors knew he was a flight risk, and the Knicks felt they have assurances they can re-sign him.
But what if they can't? Agents can be fired. Easily. And if getting more touches and a bigger role on offense was OG's big goal, then the Knicks pale in comparison to the opportunity he could have had in Indiana next to Tyrese Haliburton or even in Toronto if the Raptors traded Siakam to clear the way. The only reason NYC makes sense is if you REALLY buy his loyalty to CAA and the Knicks roster build. And I don't.
14.1% USAGE so far as a Knick is his LOWEST usage since his rookie season.. and playing heavy minutes in Thib's lineups is a surefire recipe for the oft-injured OG to run his body into the ground.. with reports that the Knicks plan on trading for a big star to pair with him and Brunson, it's also a great indicator that he will never become a 20ppg scorer in New York.
Okay, so.. British born Nigerian OG Anunoby, whom most assumed was the nearest and dearest player to Raptors president Masai Ujiri other than Scottie Barnes... what if the plan is actually to bring him back. And no, not as a 1 day contract to retire, but much sooner than that?
The Raptors traded for Jakob Poeltl for a mess of picks and expirings... Remember the anxiety this offseason that he could go right back to the Spurs and how embarrassing that would be for the Raptors? Guess what? OG can do the same thing. The Raptors aren't a major free agent destination. But they have a boatload of expiring contracts. And if they trade Siakam for expirings and young assets to restock the coffers, not to mention future picks, as they're widely rumored to be willing to do, they'll be one of the few teams this offseason that can make a competitive offer to OG Anunoby.
He already knows the city and the organization. 4 months in NYC would do wonders for his brand anyway. And the ultimate heel turn from New York saviour to New York backstabber would make him the story of the summer.
Masai Ujiri hates James Dolan just enough to make this real. So does Larry Tanenbaum. So while I'm not saying this is likely, it is certainly possible. OG left on good terms. The Raptors adore him. And going into this season, there was merely one gripe he had and that was his role and money. With IQ and Scottie the building blocks for the future in Toronto, the Raptors will not only be able to offer him the money and role he wants, they'll also be able to bring him back to a coach he's come to trust, and one who has poured 100s of hours into making him a healthier and better player this season.
If OG comes back, the trade, which already looks like a steal for the Raptors, would enter the evil genius category. And I think I speak for a lot of Raptors fans when I say.. we'll be watching.
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