The Toronto Raptors and the New York Knicks have made a significant trade, as reported by The Athletic’s NBA insider Shams Charania. The Raptors are sending OG Anunoby, Malachi Flynn, and Precious Achiuwa to the Knicks in exchange for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a second-round pick from the Detroit Pistons.
OG Anunoby has been a subject of trade rumors since the summer of 2022. The Raptors’ small forward is having a strong shooting season, averaging 48.9 percent from the field on 11.9 attempts. He is also known for his defensive prowess, having recorded a career-high 1.9 steals per game in the past season. Anunoby holds a $19.9 million player’s option in the 2024-2025 season, suggesting that the Knicks will likely need to extend him before the offseason.
On the other side of the trade, RJ Barrett, who was born in Toronto, recently signed a four-year, $107 million rookie extension with the Knicks. However, he has seen a decrease in playing time this season and has struggled with his shooting numbers.
Immanuel Quickley, a fourth-year shooting guard, is having a breakout scoring season. He is averaging career highs in points (15), two-point percentage (54.9 percent), and three-point percentage (39.5 percent). Quickley will join the Raptors’ third-year playmaker Scottie Barnes, forming a young backcourt that could be the cornerstone of the team’s competitive rebuild. Quickley will become a restricted free agent in 2024, as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.
The trade does not significantly impact the championship odds for either team. However, it provides both teams with an opportunity to reshape their rosters and potentially improve their performance in the future.
It’s worth noting that the Knicks and the Raptors are currently involved in a legal dispute. The Knicks are suing the Raptors after a former New York video employee allegedly provided Toronto with more than 3,000 confidential files. The files reportedly included video scouting reports, play frequency files, a prep book for the 2022-2023 season, and opposition research. Toronto may countersue the Knicks for defamation in response to the lawsuit.
Overall, this trade presents an interesting exchange of players between the Raptors and the Knicks. Both teams have acquired talented young players who have the potential to make a significant impact on their respective rosters. It will be intriguing to see how these players develop and contribute to their new teams in the coming seasons.
