Potential Blockbuster Grizzlies-Raptors Trade Fell Through

The Memphis Grizzlies were very interested in Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby

During a recent episode of The Hoop Collective podcast, ESPN's Tim MacMahon revealed the Memphis Grizzlies were very interested in trading for Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby, but a potential deal fell through when Memphis pivoted to other trades.

"When you talk about a case of waiting too long, I think Anunoby very well could end up being something like that," MacMahon said. "There was a lot of talk about Anunoby getting traded, but I don't believe there were a lot of trade discussions involving him last year. I know for example that the Memphis Grizzlies had high, high interest and I don't know exactly what they would have given up, but there were talks for Mikal Bridges and they put four first-round picks on the table there."

Using the Bridges example, MacMahon believes Memphis would have offered multiple first-round picks for Anunoby. Suggesting that the Raptors may be entering a situation where they've waited too long to deal Anunoby, MacMahon explained how a potential deal with the Grizzlies fell through 

"It's an example of here's a potential trade partner that was willing to pay premium, and the likelihood of that being a potential trade partner has diminished significantly over the summer," MacMahon said. "Just because of the business the Grizzles did over the summer and the trade-able contracts that are no longer there and the picks that are no longer there."

While MacMahon doesn't believe there was any major traction between the Grizzlies and Raptors because of Toronto's hesitancy to rebuild, his understanding is that Memphis was very interested in making this blockbuster deal, but it has now fallen through with Memphis using their assets elsewhere.

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