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New York Knicks: Deep Draft Class Should Raise Trade Scenarios

By El-Nazr McDowell

Dec 17, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) shoots the ball while Butler Bulldogs forward Andrew Chrabascz (45) defends in the first half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) shoots the ball while Butler Bulldogs forward Andrew Chrabascz (45) defends in the first half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) takes a shot against Louisville Cardinals forward Ray Spalding (13) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Louisville defeats Indiana 77-62. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) takes a shot against Louisville Cardinals forward Ray Spalding (13) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Louisville defeats Indiana 77-62. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

OG Anunoby

Position: Small Forward
Age: 19 (7/17/1997)
Height: 6’7.75″
Weight: 234 pounds
Wingspan: 7’2.25″
Playing Style Comparison: Otis Thorpe
Worth A Trade: Definitely

If anyone is worth a trade in the 2017 NBA Draft, it’s Indiana Hoosiers small forward OG Anunoby. Despite a short-lived season due to a brutal season-ending knee injury, Anunoby gave NBA scouts enough tape to him label as the steal of this year’s draft class.

Anunoby simply possesses a tantalizing two-way skillset and high-tech optics that are too hard to pass up.

PROS

  • Anunoby presents tremendous upside as a high-motor player on both ends of the court. He’s perhaps the most aesthetically gifted two-way player transitioning to the NBA. Anunoby is a highly versatile physical specimen who can service all positions defensively and offensively. Versatility is a core ingredient in today’s league.
  • Anunoby also projects to be an elite defender given his high intensity, strength, and athleticism. His wingspan complements his pedigree as a defender (especially as a shot-blocker).
  • Anunoby has the tools to become an efficient finisher on the NBA level. He can be productive around the rim as a physical force. He plays well above the rim given his size. His game in full-court fastbreak and half-court transitions are his main offensive gifts and can attribute him as an offensive alley-oop threat or as an inside finisher.

CONS

  • Anunoby doesn’t not have a pro-ready perimeter shot. Nowhere close to it. He has mostly only shown the propensity to make open spot-up threes given the space and time to set up his unrefined shooting form. Even still, he hasn’t proven capable of making them with consistency.
  • Because of his short-lived collegiate tenure, he has proven to be as raw as any player in this coming draft. Scouts like Anunoby for his optics as an athlete for his size. He still lacks fundamental skills on the offensive and defensive floor. Nevertheless, Anunoby has enough good to offset the bad traits he possess. He’s moldable.

Worth a Trade?

OG Anunoby has too many good NBA measurables to be taken lightly. It may cost one of the Knicks’ best chips in Carmelo Anthony or Kristaps Porzingis. Truthfully, it would depend on the team he lands on if the Knicks aren’t his landing destination.

Maxwell Ogden provided an extensive analysis of OG Anunoby.

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