NBA trade deadline: 3 new rumors for OG Anunoby, Jae Crowder, and Jakob Poeltl

One of the most important events of the NBA season is less than two weeks away, and some teams are looking to make a move. The NBA trade deadline is only 10 days away, and according to Sham Charania, several organizations are starting to gauge the trade market.

Equality in the NBA is at an all-time high. We haven’t seen a dominant team this season, especially in the Western Conference. Only six games separate the third and 13th seeds in the Western Conference. With so many teams so close together in the standings, we may not see as many trades as usual, but it’s the NBA, and anything can happen at the trade deadline.

Based on the latest report from Charania on Monday morning, here are the three latest trade rumors that will have a huge impact on the NBA:

OG Anunoby to the Sun

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With the emergence of Scotty Barnes, the Raptors seem more willing to move on than OG Anunoby. They are small in two ways and forward. Recent reports have surfaced that a team has offered three first-round picks to the Raptors for the 25-year-old forward. The latest report is that the Knicks (the team that offered three first-round picks earlier this year) and the Phoenix Suns are interested in Anunoby.

Between the two teams, Anunoby seems like the best fit with the Suns. The Knicks already have RJ Barrett at small forward and Julius Randle at power forward. Sure, they could move him to center, but considering Mitchell Robinson has played well this season, that would be a mistake.

How Anunobi fits the Sun

The Suns have Mikal Bridges, he’s a similar player to Anunoby, but I don’t think they’ll have a problem moving Cameron Johnson into a sixth man role and playing Anunoby at power forward. And the Suns will dominate all the best for the next several seasons. Anunoby is shooting over 36 percent from three-point range, averaging a career-high 2.1 steals per game, and is still one of the best rebounders in the NBA. Plus, at least with Chris Paul at point guard, the Suns’ championship window is closing fast, which could make the Suns more willing to part with multiple picks.

Anuonbi gives the Suns two of the best wing defenders in the NBA and Johnson improves their bench unit now that he’s off the bench.

Jae Crowder to the Bucks

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We may finally have a resolution to the year-long Jae Crowder saga in Phoenix. Crowder hasn’t played a single second for the Suns this season, after the two sides agree it’s best not to take the veteran forward on the court until the Suns work out a trade.

The Suns and Crowder have been at loggerheads since the two sides failed to agree on a contract extension, and the Suns appear to have decided to move Cameron Johnson to the starting lineup, meaning Crowder would be headed to the bench. However, the Suns have reportedly given the Milwaukee Bucks permission to talk to Crowder.

Charania reports that the Bucks have offered Jordan Nwora, Serge Ibaka and George Hill 2nd round draft compensation. I’m sure the Suns want more in return, but as the trade deadline nears, this might be the best deal they can get for the veteran Crowder.

How Crowder Can Help the Bucs

Crowder would help a Bucks team that had to navigate Khris Middleton’s absence most of the year. They tried different players at the backup power forward position. Crowder could help the Bucks’ depth by playing either forward position.

Crowder has NBA Finals experience during his time with the Miami Heat. As you may recall, the Heat made a run to the Finals during the NBA bubble. Although he was acquired late that season and only played 20 regular season games, he was instrumental in the Heat’s playoff run.

Jakob Poeltl to the Celtics

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Several teams are reportedly interested in the fifth-year big man out of Austria. The two teams named after him are the Raptors (the team that drafted him) and the Boston Celtics. The Spurs are going through a rebuilding process and are trying to focus on youth activity.

Poeltl has been a consistent contributor for the Spurs over the past three seasons. The last two being his best two seasons in the NBA. At 27 years old, he’s not exactly old, but when a team is rebuilding, 27 looks old in rebuilding years. That’s why the Spurs want to trade Poultle, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.

How he can help the Celtics

I’m sure you’re wondering how Poeltl’s trade can be higher than the two. Simply put, he fills an immediate need by going to a championship and a championship-contending team.

Although the Celtics have Al Hortford and Robert Williams, they need another big man who can control the paint. Hartford is still a good player, but he is in his 15th season. Williams is one of the best offensive rebounders and shot-blockers in the league, but he has dealt with a number of injuries over the past two seasons.

Poultle gives the Celtics much-needed frontcourt depth and a legitimate seven-footer who can score in the paint. He could fill in for Williams if he misses out with another injury. If Williams is out, they will have to play in the middle by committee.

Be a little hesitant to make the trade considering Poeltl is a free agent this summer, but the Celtics might want to go all in considering it’s also their best chance to get a ring in the long run.

Celtics associate general manager Vic Gruesbeck understands he wants to go all out this season.

“The conversation I had with Brad[Stevens, team president]– that’s about this year.” He explained. Gruesbeck in a recent interview with NBC Boston Sports. It’s not a case of “this will pay dividends in three years” or “this will do this next year” – it’s not a case of “let’s muscle up this year and get the job done”.

Many of these reports will be released over the next several days until the close of business on February 9. Unfortunately, most of it probably never comes to fruition because often the trades that are made are ones that we never hear about. That being said, it should be another crazy trade deadline with many teams looking to make moves that put them above or below the tax cap.