Raptors' O.G. Anunoby 'can't control' rumours that he's unhappy in Toronto

As the NBA Trade Deadline fast approaches on Feb. 9, one player who has seen his name in a slew of rumours is Toronto Raptors forward O.G. Anunoby. With burgeoning speculation that he’s unhappy with his role in the offence and that he wants out of Toronto, Anunoby cleared the air with Sportsnet’s Michael Grange on Monday.

Grange asked Anunoby if there were any truth to the rumours that the 25-year-old wants to leave the Raptors.

“No. It is what it is," Anunoby curtly answered.

Not only were those stories inaccurate, but rumours that he was disgruntled with the team’s offence also seem to have little stock.

"Just trying to get better every day. Some games you get a bigger role. It’s the same for everyone. It changes game to game," he said.

While it can be draining to have one’s name constantly in the headlines, and sometimes even maligned, Anunoby told Grange that there’s no point in fighting it because the rumour mill is out of his control.

“No, it doesn’t bother me. What can I do about it? I didn’t tell anyone to do that story or say whatever. It’s not my choice for whatever is going on to be going on. I can’t control it, so what’s the point of being mad about it?”

On a recent episode of “The Bob McCown Podcast,” McCown said he was told that Anunoby “wants out of Toronto.” According to the Canadian radio personality, an NBA insider told him that Anunoby wants to be traded and that it’s not a new revelation.

“I talked to an insider in the NBA yesterday on the phone,” McCown said on his podcast. “He tells me that Anunoby wants out of Toronto. Anunoby wants out.

These comments do not mean that he is precluded from being traded, as Toronto currently sits outside of a play-in spot, with a record of 23-28. According to the Toronto Star's Bruce Arthur, one unnamed team has offered as many as three first-round picks to acquire the versatile forward's services.

Anunoby is having a career year this season, averaging 16.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and a league-leading 2.1 steals per game. He is currently sidelined with a wrist injury that will keep him out of action for the remainder of the Raptors' road trip. His health will be a major area of focus in the coming week due to all the trade speculation surrounding him.

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