The Sacramento Kings have found themselves linked to Toronto Raptors’ forward OG Anunoby, most recently by Damien Barling of ESPN1320.
In search of a better understanding of who OG Anunoby is as a player, and what a potential deal with Sacramento (or any other team) might look like I reached out to Samson Folk, who covers the Raptors for Raptors Republic, to join me on the Kings Pulse Podcast.
Anunoby was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team this past season, but how versatile does his 6’8″ frame and 7’2″ wingspan allow him to be? We also spent some time diving into the difference between his on-ball and off-ball defensive impacts and methods in doing so.
Sacramento has plenty of growing room on the defensive side of the ball and would be asking Anunoby to set the tone and change their look on that end of the floor. Is he that type of player?
Samson and I both believe that OG Anunoby would be a solid offensive fit alongside De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis with his shooting, cutting, and finishing, but there’s upside for even more. Samson shared his perspective of Anunoby’s self-creation flashes and what still needs to be fine-tuned there.
Then, you get to the tough conversation. Is there a world where Keegan Murray is part of the conversation? Probably not.
🚨NEW KP EPISODE🚨
🔘Special Guest: @samfolkk
🔘Getting insight into the extent of OG Anunoby’s two-way impact
🔘OG’s injury history and looming free agency
🔘If Keegan is not involved, what would a deal look like?
🔘Other teams’ potential offers for OGhttps://t.co/DQpjkvHatW pic.twitter.com/a2wOw9DEUB— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) June 18, 2023
If you function in thinking he’s not being made available in these discussions, then it comes down to probably using Richaun Holmes matching salary (or Kevin Huerter) along with Davion Mitchell, pick 24 in the upcoming 2023 NBA Draft, and a couple more future firsts. How many firsts would it take to get that done and how many should the Kings be willing to part with?
Of course, Sacramento is not the only team that has shown interest in OG Anunoby, meaning they are bidding against other offers. Samson shared his thoughts on some of the other enticing trade pieces teams like Indiana or Memphis could offer.
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OG for Keegan–no
OG for Holmes, Davion, plus 3 firsts.? No, this would require getting Atlanta to relinquish the protections on 2024. This gets rid of Holmes and costs the #24. But loses Davion- expected. Bu the other two firsts are just awfully high price. He would have to agree to extension- how much would that be?
I just get the feeling that OG himself and the Toronto front office have an inflated view of him.
I would rather do the Wiggins option- Davion, Holmes, 24 and a swap. for a player signed. But I doubt the duds do that. They have an inflated view of their worth as well.. At the same time, the salary issues are going to really cost them. Getting rid of Kuminga does not solve that at all.
Wiggins is not a real option. GS is not the Wiz. The chance to extend the dynasty has them motivated to pay whatever it takes. No franchise loves over-paying players like Washington does, (and sending them away for nothing.) They didn’t really have a choice with Beal, and they were (are) going nowhere fast. This could be good news, because KP is a player who, if he played well in Sac, could take the Kings from playoff, to championship contenders. He’ll likely be on the block next, and who else besides the Kings, are positioned to take such a big swing on a guy with that much upside, and that much injury history?
I’m really starting to like the idea of standing pat, or even cut salary, and wait to see who gets desperate mid-season. Teams are going to need to dump salary, with few options, ahead of the new CBA taking affect after this season. I don’t think I’m being despondent here. H. Barnes isn’t the difference between a 3 seed and missing the playoffs. Maybe they should fill his spot with someone cheap, and give themselves the chance to step to the plate when that big swing comes available.
Kuminga could be just the type of cheaper option which could make sense. And I can believe they actually do want to offload him.
Don’t want anyone who can’t shoot.
Then might as well trade Fox because Kuminga is significantly better from 3.
Ridiculous. Fox can shoot mid range and I meant I don’t want to bring anyone in who can’t shoot.
And I was specifically responding to Kuminga. Very trolly
Washington is one of the dumber teams that’s for sure- waited too long on Beal and then got the worse end of the deal unless negative money counts.
Kuzma will go elsewhere and his cost is high.
Agree- doubt duds give up Wiggins- they still think they are a “dynasty”- maybe nasty but not a dynasty.
I think they go at least one more year before the cash outlaw just kills them.
I don’t think the “throw all the assets” at one missing piece is the way for the Kings. LAL and others can get away with this but Kings are small market- have to build slow like Denver ( our new example)
There was a nice review on how they built- slow, a piece at a time and then added 2 complementary pieces this last year.
The price for OG is way to high and it is way too early and he is not the “one missing piece” anyway.
There will be no pick next year and that may be the year to jump.
Duds may want to rid themselves of more mistakes like Kuminga and they always buff him up. But if he was really good, he would be playing.
I would give the 38 for him and that’s about it- I know, insulting.
Davion, Holmes and 3-firsts-absolutely. Do it. But it doesn’t sound like Toronto will get rid of him.
What gives the kings the best PF defense and rebounding alongside Sabonis. Whether that’s a PF in the draft or one of these guys… need defense and rebounds.
When taking in the entire possibility that trading for OG is just a 1yr rental until he opts out after next year (which he has stated he 100% will do because an extension of his current contract has severe limitations preventing him from being paid market value), there is absolutely no way in hell that Keegan should even be entertained. Including their respective contract situations, Keegan and OG have very similar values in terms of assets. Also, OG is much less appealing without Keegan as his partner on the wing.
If TOR asks for Keegan in an OG trade, I’d ask how many 1sts on top of OG they intended to send our way (if they can overvalue their own players, so can we) and the trade talks are likely dead, but if TOR wants to keep talking: my personal offer would be [players] either Holmes & Mitchell or Huerter plus [assets] the 2023 #24 and an unprotected future 1st (or two future 1sts if they don’t want this year’s #24). I’d let them know that was the offer and to get back to us if they want to but we won’t be offering any more.
In order for a trade to go through, TOR needs to pick a direction. TOR might keep OG and try to run it back with FVV, Trent Jr., Barnes, Siakam, and Poeltl (but FVV & Trent Jr. have player options while Poetl & Will Barton are both URFA) hoping that OG will re-sign with TOR after declining his PO in 2024 OR TOR might be kicking off a rebuild around Scottie Barnes and developing their future which is likely to include a frontline of Barnes, Achiuwa, & Koloko. They also resigned C. Boucher last year for veteran depth and T. Young is there as an expiring in 2024.
If they go the rebuild route, they have a logjam at the Wing/Forward positions that would need to be addressed in order to provide enough minutes for the team’s young core. I think they’d like to retain OG but it will be costly after next year and do they want to pay such a high salary while also suffering the opportunity costs of not getting draft assets for him during a rebuild? Or do they trade him now for assets before he loses all value as a trade piece? After winning a ring already, would OG even want to be involved in a rebuild? I think Siakam is inevitably traded no matter what as he’s their best trade asset who also happens to play the same position as the new face of the franchise.
If it doesn’t work out, just be ready to move on by making Cam Johnson an offer of approx. $100M/4rs as soon as FA begins (the waiting time for teams to match RFA offers is down to 48hrs and the likelihood that Brooklyn wouldn’t match right away is pretty low…but if they don’t!). CJ would be an excellent addition to the wing rotation and I’d take the chance even if unlikely. If it doesn’t happen, move on the next best option.
Take opportunistic chances, but don’t over-extend.
I already had one foot out the door on an OG deal, and I’m basically done with it now. The Kings need interior defense and rebounding, and he’s not a guy who’s gonna keep them from getting dominated in the paint. Some say they lost to the Dubs because they couldn’t contain Curry, but it was really Looney that killed them, and he’ll do it again with or without Anunoby. Sending Keegan and Mitchell for OG doesn’t even guarantee to improve the roster this season, especially if he gets hurt again. Moreover, three 1sts for a guy who doesn’t put them in championship contention just can’t be a good idea.
I’ve been watching Anunoby highlights, and the thing that stands out to me is how good he is in concert with the other amazing wing defenders in Toronto. I see him racking up steals with Siakam, and Scottie Barnes playing the passing lanes, as well as very solid defenders up and down the lineup. That kind of length and talent makes it a lot easier for them to isolate guys up top and let him go to work on them. I’m not at all sure he’d be as effective elsewhere. He’s excellent, for sure, but it seems like his defensive numbers have benefited from all that defensive talent around him. He doesn’t address the Kings most glaring weakness. There’s no guarantee he can replicate his performances from Toronto here in Sac, and the price is just simply prohibitive.
yep
Yep, that’s what I said from the get go
keegan or control of 3 years of draft outside of Davion/24 etc
i think we equally have inflated view of our players
Fact is, OG is a well rounded high quality role player now, and Keegan shoots threes.
contract/age notwithstanding you’d rather have OG. So if your getting OG committed, you might take that chance to forgoe Keegan’s upside for the better player
Good stuff Brenden.
I would pass on OG because the cost is going to be stupid.
OG would definitely take the Kings to the next level. Championship. Probably not. But closer. Veritably.
So many seem to forget the Kings took advantage of the West in a down year.Key players to every otherwise playoff team missed huge chunks of games due to injuries in the West.
The singular teams that didn’t? Denver and Sac.
I won’t be surprised to see the Kings fall down to 5 or lower next year.
OG is a 2 way player that has been in the league 7 less years than Barnes. Clearly and without a doubt OG is a big improvement. Barnes is on the decline. And if you can’t see that. Just watch the playoffs. He’s done as a starter.
Kings desperately need to address rim protecting, interior d and rebounding. For any talk of a conference championship.
OG gets this team to at least the Quarterfinal.
Toronto will most certainly ask for 2 Number Ones, Keegan/Mitchell and maybe one of of Monk/Huerter.
Raps will definitely want the picks and the perceived upside of Murray.
If OG is committed and extended long term, somehow, I would give Keegan straight up, but even I wouldn’t give more than salary filler with him
Here goes. I am not a writer or any thing in between but need to let you know what I think about this whole situation. I coached BB for 47 but that was a while ago. Most of my friends and coaches tell me if I was doing it today I would be fired or in jail or both. I understand BB is a business but there are other things like intangibles that make a basketball player. I have my ideas and you might have yours. First IMO I would drop the OG Anunoby trade idea like a hot potato. There are other PW’s out there. To name a few: PJ Washington, Cam Johnson, Kyle Kuzma or Christian Wood. All these have weaknesses but so does Anunoby. Health and contract to name two. All these are freer agents. To trade one or two of our core players plus other assests IMO should not be done Sure we need a really good power forward but there are other answers. Six players I would keep and not trade are Fox, Huerter, Murray, Sabonis, Mitchell or Monk. Because of his intangibles I would try and keep Lyles. IMO you don’t mess with success. To trade any one of these would be wrong. Take 2 for instance. I am sure all of you have really studied and watched Davion Mitchell do his thing. IMO there is no one who can do it better. You want defense you got it. He wants to be a King. I believe this year because of who he is will be a breakout offensive season also. +Second is Monk. We all know his intangibles. Motor, hustle, a love of the game and he also wants to be a King.Back to a power forward the Kings need to continue to get better and have the intangibles to succeed. They are out there either through trade or free agency. I trust Monty and Mike to get the right one. Last we need a backup center to help Sabonis. Again there out there. Eubanks, Reid, Reed to name a few. For both power forward and center IMO don’t go old but keep them in Monty’s timeline. Last but not least if Vezenkov really doesn’t want to come over and be a King but just for the money tell him to stay home. Lyles can do just as good if not better and Lyles wants to be a King. Sorry about the long comment but I needed to say some things especially about Anunoby.
Just putting it out here so it’s on record: I would happily do Davion/Holmes/24 and 2 future firsts for OG
Same. Kings would have both OG’s and Sabonis’ Bird Rights and can pay them each more than anyone else can next summer. Monte could go all in long term on Fox, OG, Murray and Sabonis for then next half decade. Vivek would just have to agree to cut the checks.
That sounds lovely.
Monte could go all in long term on Fox, OG, Murray and Sabonis for then next half decade. Vivek would just have to agree to cut the checks.
Doubt that’s a championship core. Murray would have to improve a ton as would OG and Sabonis would actually have to show up for the playoffs which he rarely has.
still too much.
Personally I just don’t think this is the moment to do a big swing trade. However positive this season was, we are still feeling out this roster. The floor is fairly high and could see improvement internally within the current team. Add the protection on the Hawks pick and the assets at our disposal are also limited. Add with the most likely targets of OG and Pascal expiring its a very risky proposition in the same year as Sabonis FA.
We have a fair amount of cap space freed up. Maybe McNair and Co can make free agent pitches elsewhere in Barnes’s spot. Kuzma? maybe you take the temperature. Draymond seems destined to be retained but thats worthy of a phone call. That said I am also totally fine bringing back Barnes. He is stable, not needing of usage and whose underwhelming end to the year my have helpfully dented his extension number.
I do think title aspirations would see us needing an upgrade, but the going market rates and our lack of attachable firsts just make me think wait a year. Barnes or Kuzma can be flipped a year from now if something presents itself. But assuring last year was not a fluke especially prior to Domas expiring may be wise. We will have likely given Atlanta our first, freeing up future picks, have more clarity on the roster and be able to retool then for the next leap.
Or even in season. Teams often pay a better rate when the win loss column places pressure on GM’s necks. But right now this is new car price. Waiting a year for something used when we have better credit seems logical oppose to a one year lease.
Its the boring answer but I think retention or akin free agent signings are probably the best move then a all in swing.
if we could get OG without selling the farm, then do it. However, there are cheaper alternatives(relatively speaking). Pay to get Cameron Johnson and Naz Reid!! We would be a much better team….
I agree all the way.My 3 top picks in FA are in order: Cameron Johnson, PJ Washington and Naz Reed. There are more but one of these 3 would really improve this team. For backup center I really like Drew Eubanks.
Just finished watching Cam Johnson high lights If you haven’t you need to. I’ll take him over Anunoby. He also plays really good defense. Fox, Huerter, Murray, Johnson and Sabonis He also shoots 40% beyond the arc. Now you can get the other Murray at #24. No need for a trade. Still have enough to bring Vezenkov over if he wants to and get Drew Eubanks as backup center in FA. GO KINGS!
Thanks for the detailed scouting report on OG. However, those trade proposals from both Brenden and the guest are way too much for a one-year rental.
this reminds me of the Ben Simmons discussion when the way it was phrased was “what is the most you’d give to get Simmons” and everyone freaked out and proposed Fox plus multiple 1sts. so desperate at the auction.
Sure, there are needs, but the Kings are pretty solid as is and I like the chemistry. Don’t give up the farm to bring in OG. I like Cam Johnson as the new PF and Naz Reid as the back up C. Could let Holmes, Barnes, Len, Queta go. Would like to retain Ellis and Edwards for at least half a season to see if either develops into a rotation player. Edwards as back up SF and Ellis as a combo guard with emphasis on PG. Keep all the first round picks unless something too good to be true avails itself. Keep Lyles on a team friendly deal and make Vezenkov a fair offer. If he takes it great, if he doesn’t – piss on him.
I like your idea. Let go all free agents. Pick up Cam Johnson as our starting power forward. Trade Holmes to the Mavs for Reggie Bullock. Draft Chris Murray at #24. If Vezenkov wants yo come over for a good price then fine. Pick up Reid at center or Drew Eubanks. Either one would be great. Fox, Huerter, Murray(Keegan), Johnson, Sabonis. Backups: Mitchell, Monk, Murray(Chris), Vezenkov and either Reid or Eubanks. Others: Bullock,Ellis, Edwards and Queta. Except Bullock where you keep him 2 years on his contract all others are within Monty’s timeline.
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