Raptors news: OG Anunoby/Evan Fournier trade discussed, insider ...

The Toronto Raptors showed hesitancy to blow up the team’s core at the trade deadline, choosing instead to make a win-now move by acquiring Jakob Poeltl from the San Antonio Spurs and holding onto OG Anunoby. Considering Anunoby’s rumored trade request, that was quite a bold bet to make.

While rumors stated that Masai Ujiri held onto Anunoby despite being offered as many as three first-round picks for his services, those picks would likely have had so many protections on them that it would be very difficult to pull the trigger. Still, they extended some feelers out there.

According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Raptors and Knicks entered very preliminary discussions on a trade that would have sent Anunoby to New York with Evan Fournier and a trio of (likely protected) first-round picks back to Toronto. This deal didn’t have a ton of legs, however.

“There were rumblings the Knicks talked to the Raptors about Evan Fournier and I think it was three first-round picks for OG Anunoby, but talks didn’t go far,” Scotto said. “There was also uncertainty if Anunoby would want to stay with the Knicks in the summer of 2024…some executives think he’s going to cost too much once he hits the open market.”

• Howard Beck made a very incendiary comment on Zach Lowe’s “Lowe Post” podcast. Beck implied that the Poeltl trade was a sign that the front office is completely behind the team’s core and believed that they could compete for a championship, but the players don’t believe in this group. Beck cited an anonymous executive.
• Bleacher Report regraded the Poeltl trade, giving Toronto a C and the Spurs an A-. This new mark came amid concerns about Toronto’s ability to retain Poeltl. While the conversation around Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. may be worth having, all signs point to Poeltl staying in Toronto.

• Count Stephen A. Smith and Marcus Smart among those who have supported Fred VanVleet in his crusade against NBA official Ben Taylor. Smart said that he was going to “let Fred do the talking” to avoid a fine, implying that he agrees with VanVleet’s R-rated assertions. 
• Charles Barkley was one of many current and former NBA players who offered their council to Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant, saying he needs to “grow up.” “You can’t screw this up,” Barkley said. “You’re one of the best basketball players we got in this league, you’re one of the new faces of our league and you’re out here acting like a damn fool and idiot.”