Knicks Trade Rumors: Pacers, Pelicans join tight race for New York trade target
It’s no secret that the New York Knicks have expressed interest in trading for OG Anunoby. With the deadline only six days away, teams across the league are monitoring Masai Ujiri and the Raptors. With Shams Charania reporting that Toronto is listening to offers for Anunoby, the race is on.
According to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, the Knicks are reportedly willing to offer three future protected first-round picks for Anunoby. Over the past few days, that report has been compared to New York being unwilling to offer three unprotected first-round picks for Donovan Mitchell, but as Grange noted, what the Knicks are reportedly willing to offer for Anunoby “isn’t exactly high-end.”
The Suns are a team that’s expressed interest in Anunoby alongside the Knicks, but according to Charania (subscription), two other teams have joined “the pursuit” of Anunoby. Those two teams are the Pelicans and the Pacers.
Pelicans, Pacers join Knicks, Suns in pursuit of trade target OG Anunoby
New Orleans has gone on a losing streak without Zion Williamson, but last year, the Pelicans (without Zion) advanced past the play-in tournament to the first round of the playoffs. Even after sending AD to the Lakers, a healthy New Orleans team is better than a healthy Los Angeles team.
Turner Sports’ Chris Haynes recently said on a podcast with Marc Stein that Anunoby “would like a change of scenery.” He also added that the Pelicans are “definitely high on him” and that both New Orleans and Memphis view Anunoby as a player that will “take them to that next step.” The Grizzlies aren’t one of Charania’s four teams that are pursuing Anunoby, though. However, that could change.
Indiana has unexpectedly done well in what many thought would turn into a rebuilding season. After months of Myles Turner trade rumors, the Pacers recently extended him. Indiana has been without Tyrese Haliburton for the past couple of weeks but has managed to stay in play-in range in his absence. Anunoby’s game would benefit from playing with a pass-first point guard in Haliburton.
The Pacers could be that sneaky team (similar to the Cavaliers) that swoops in to trade for Anunoby when the majority believe that he’ll end up on either the Knicks or Suns.
OG Anunoby is the hottest name on the trade market right now and he’s a player that New York should continue to strongly pursue between now and Thursday.
