NBA Trade Deadline Props: Will Raptors Deal OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet?

The NBA Trade Deadline is one of the most eagerly awaited events of the season and it takes place this Thursday at 3 p.m. ET. Only Major League Baseball’s Trade Deadline can match it in terms of the magnitude of potential moves.

The first major domino fell Sunday when the Brooklyn Nets traded All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith and future draft picks. Irving had a close relationship with his Nets teammate and superstar Kevin Durant, who had also requested a trade during the summer but did not get his wish. Teams are currently contacting the Nets to see if Durant is available by the deadline, but they have been told that he is not.

According to the top-rated sportsbooks, the Brooklyn Nets are the heavy favorite (-450) to be Durant’s team after the deadline according to NBA odds, followed by the Phoenix Suns (+650) and Boston Celtics (+1200). However, a trade for Durant is unlikely to happen now, but it could be a possibility in the offseason.

The Toronto Raptors are arguably the most intriguing team to watch ahead of the deadline as they decide whether to hold onto their roster or make more moves. The odds on where Raptors starters Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby will be playing after this deadline if not with Toronto are as follows:

Suns Interested in Both

If you believe in the saying “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” it is likely that both VanVleet and Anunoby will be traded away. VanVleet is likely to become a free agent after declining his player option for the 2023-23 season, so the Raptors, who are currently underperforming this season, may choose to trade him to avoid losing him for nothing.

The Brooklyn Nets are the favorites (+300) to be VanVleet’s team after the deadline if not Toronto, followed by the LA Lakers (+350), Clippers (+400) and Suns (+500). The Lakers, Clippers, and Suns were all in the running for Irving, and now that Brooklyn has more draft capital after the Irving trade, they may be able to entice the Raptors to make a deal for VanVleet.

Anunoby, on the other hand, has three years left on a very team-friendly deal and is only 25 years old. He also has the ability to guard nearly every position on the floor, making him a valuable asset. The Raptors are reportedly only winning to trade Anunoby if they receive at least three first-round picks in return, and a few teams have already put that offer on the table.

The Memphis Grizzlies are very good, but probably not legitimate threats to win the West right now. At the moment, they are the favorites (+200) to land Anunoby after the deadline if Toronto doesn’t retain his services, followed by the New Orleans Pelicans (+300), Phoenix Suns (+400), and New York Knicks (+500). It’s worth noting as well that both the Pels and Knicks have multiple first-round picks available due to previous trades.