Sources: Knicks trading for Raptors' Anunoby
The Raptors are finalizing a trade to send OG Anunoby to the Knicks for a package that includes RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and draft considerations, sources told ESPN.
Knicks acquiring Raptors' OG Anunoby in trade
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Knicks acquiring OG Anunoby from Raptors for young stars in shocking blockbuster trade
The Knicks are making a surprise trade heading into the New Year.
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Knicks acquiring OG Anunoby from Raptors for young stars in shocking blockbuster trade
By Stefan BondyReshaping their rotation, the Knicks struck a seismic deal to acquire Raptors wing OG Anunoby by shipping off RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, a source confirmed.
Anunoby, a 3-and-D wing, will likely replace Barrett in the lineup and is theoretically a better positional fit in a lineup with Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson because he spaces the floor and doesn’t need the ball in his hands.
The Knicks gave up a second-round pick in the swap but will also land Toronto big man Precious Achiuwa, who can assist with the current crunch at center.
New York is also sending the Pistons’ 2024 second-round pick in the deal, which is projected to be fairly valuable in the early 30s.
The 26-year-old Anunoby, who recently switched representation from Klutch Sports to CAA, is averaging 15.1 points for the Raptors on 49 percent shooting — including a respectable 37 percent from beyond the arc.
He’s earning $18.6 million with a $20 million option for next season, meaning Anunoby could become an unrestricted free agent in the summer.
Barrett, 23, meanwhile, is gone after becoming the franchise’s highest draft pick since Patrick Ewing and the first first-round pick to re-sign off his rookie deal since Charlie Ward.
His up-and-down Knicks career finished in over four seasons with averages of 18.1 points on 42 percent shooting.
This deal sends the Toronto native back home.
Quickley has shined this season but became a trade candidate after he and the Knicks failed to agree to an extension in the summer.
His departure clears up the glut at guard that had become an issue with players since there were only a finite amount of minutes for Quickley, Quentin Grimes and Donte DiVincenzo.
Now, Grimes and DiVincenzo can split those minutes, and Anunoby moves to small forward.
The Knicks still have several first-round picks and Evan Fournier’s expiring contract to dangle before the trade deadline.
They could also hold on to Fournier and pick up his team option to use in a deal as an expiring contract in the summer.
The deal between the Raptors and Knicks comes as both franchises are pitted against each other in a lawsuit over alleged stolen scouting secrets.
That's a lot of scoring that needs to make up. I don't think either team is truly better. Knicks slightly regressed because Brunson and Randle isn't enough to flirt with the 2nd round and beyond; Anunoby is not that type of scorer but helps out defensively. I also think Grimes is expected to get off his ass and do the jump that was expected of him. And I don't like the options to handle the ball when Brunson sits. It's a Kadary situation
I think Malachi or McBride handle the backup PG duties. Or they use two shooting guards and have Randle and others to facilitate. It’s a small universe of minutes anyway with how much Brunson plays.
I liked both RJ and Quick. I think the trade was an acknowledgment that it was a solid-good team with second round potential, but after two years it is worth the risk to shake things up. Precious gives them a young big with some theoretical potential upside which can help with Robinson down. OG is a good player who perhaps fits better with the current personnel and is a very different player than what’s on the roster. So I think the thought process is to see how the team plays with this group and they’ve opened up some potential options for other moves this year or in the offseason.
Agreed. I don’t know the salary cap stuff because it is enormously complicated. When they didn’t resign Quick this summer that flagged a potential for a trade or simply losing him to an offer they can’t make work. I love Quick off the bench, but if he wants to try and get paid more, god bless. Big fan of RJ too. But this deal is all about rolling the dice and shaking things up to see if they can somehow tweak the roster this year or going forward to build a team with a higher ceiling. No different than them exploring Randall deals last year - lots of speculation on that - even though he’s been a productive if not highly productive player at times.
NBA trade grades: Breaking down OG Anunoby to the Knicks
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