Could Mavs Pull Off Trade For Raptors' O.G. Anunoby?

The Mavs face a major need to improve defensively this offseason. Could they pull off a trade to acquire O.G. Anunoby from the Raptors?

DALLAS — Ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft, the Dallas Mavericks are considered a potential trade candidate to monitor using the 10th overall pick to acquire win-now help for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. 

There are a variety of key areas the Mavs must address this offseason. The priorities communicated by the organization include defense and rebounding. Dallas gave up 116.1 points per 100 possessions (25th in addition to producing a league-worst 47.1% total rebounding percentage. 

"I think for us going into the offseason, the two biggest things that we need to work on is defense and rebounding," Harrison said. "That's going to be addressed."

A significant factor in the Mavs' shortcomings in that area was a lack of positional size, particularly after moving Dorian Finney-Smith in part of the trade with the Brooklyn Nets that brought Kyrie Irving to Dallas. Between deploying Reggie Bullock at the four or trying to play two bigs, the right lineup configuration never was present. 

The Mavs need a full-time starting four that has the necessary frame to handle bigger frontcourt players, while being an impactful on-ball defender when guarding a variety of different positions. One player that checks those boxes is O.G. Anunoby, who could potentially be traded by the Toronto Raptors in the near future. 

In a recent NBA mock draft, Bleacher Report included the Mavs engaging in a trade to acquire Anunoby from the Raptors. The deal involved Anunoby being the only player being sent to Dallas in exchange for Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green, the 10th pick, and a 2027 first-round pick. 

"OG Anunoby is about as good as they can realistically hope to get, as his elite defense and shot-making would make him an ideal third banana alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, whom the team still plans to re-sign," Zach Buckley wrote.

Anunoby is coming off a season averaging 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.9 steals. Standing at 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot 2 wingspan, the versatile forward produced a strong season, earning All-Defensive Second-Team honors. 

The main issue isn't whether Anunoby would be worth the trade package for the Mavs. Instead, it's a matter of the practicality of the Mavs being the team to acquire him. There would be many interested suitors in his services with the potential to produce a more intriguing trade package if interested in doing so. 

In the Mavs' case, the appeal would be that gaining the 10th overall pick is a tangible asset that can be applied directly to a prospect in this year's class. However, the appeal of a 2027 first-round pick from the Mavs would be a bet that Luka Doncic becomes dissatisfied with his situation enough to ask for a trade in the future. 

"A No. 10 selection can be a big deal. Ditto for an unprotected pick from a team already fearful of its franchise face wanting out," Buckley wrote. "Throw in a three-and-D replacement in Josh Green—and maybe Tim Hardaway Jr.'s shooting, though he's really just a money-matcher—and this might be enough for the Raptors to bite.

Again, other teams inside the top 10 of the NBA Draft order very well could be in play to trade for Anunoby. However, it remains to be seen how the market will shake out precisely this far out from the heat of the offseason action. If things break favorably for Dallas, perhaps it can make a compelling enough offer.

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Grant Afseth is a Dallas Mavericks reporter for DallasBasketball.com and an NBA reporter for NBA Analysis Network. He previously covered the Indiana Pacers and NBA for CNHI's Kokomo Tribune and various NBA teams for USA TODAY Sports Media Group. Follow him on Twitter (@grantafseth), Facebook (@grantgafseth), and YouTube (@grantafseth).

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