Having held a long-standing interest in the 26-year-old, New York have today completed a multi-player trade package to acquire highly-rated Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby – sending RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round draft pick the other way in a surprise move for a highly coveted asset many anticipate will kickstart trade movements leaguewide.
Knicks now have Anunoby-Brunson-Randle trident
New York Knicks receive
OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, Malachi Flynn
Toronto Raptors get
RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, 2024 second-round pick
Well, there’s nothing like a surprise splash to get the trade machine – and NBA analysts everywhere – humming on a Saturday afternoon.
Within minutes of the trade news filtering through on social media, there were hypothetical questions about which player from the five is actually the best, why New York are giving up so much, and whether this trade deal sees Toronto enter a soft rebuild with their two-time All-Star forward Pascal Siakam also in trade talks.
There are no deals with traction now involving Siakam, per ESPN, who is eligible to be a free agent this coming summer. Anunoby is too, though Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer reported OG may be willing to take a pay cut on a $40m-a-year asking price – especially considering New York was reportedly his favoured destination.
On the deal, Knicks president Leon Rose said: “OG’s complete offensive game and ability to defend multiple positions will enhance our team on both ends of the court,” and it’s clear they envisage a big role for him in the Knicks’ long-term future.
Did you know? Anunoby ranked second in defensive half-court matchups against All-Stars a year ago, only behind Brooklyn’s Mikal Bridges per ESPN Stats data. He’s also averaged 1.7 steals per game over the past two years, third-most leaguewide.
It’s easy to forget Leon’s son Sam is an agent with CAA, who now represent him, as well as his new temamate Jalen Brunson among a small stable of NBA talent.
Anunoby left Klutch Sports Group last summer and held meetings with several agencies before making his final decision, discussing his market value expectations.
The financial intel is smoothed over by that, at a time where it feels New York aren’t finished making deals before the Feb. 8 trade deadline and may need one of their higher-paid players to take an annual pay cut for further roster improvements.
At the time of writing, New York (17-15) have lost their last three games but boast considerable draft assets to make more impactful trade deals heading into 2024.
Randle has been in trade talks himself since inking a four-year, $117m contract extension which began last season. The power forward has a player option in the 2025-26 campaign, and recently spoke about how he didn’t have regrets over taking a pay cut, saying added financial flexibility could help the Knicks in future.
Okay, but what about Toronto?
- Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri’s statement on their two new assets: “Immanuel is a young, talented playmaker who we believe will provide a spark on both ends of the court. RJ is a versatile wing who is, of course, well-known in his hometown, and seeing him in a Raptors uniform will be a special moment for our fans and all Canadians.”
- Ujiri was criticised for driving up the asking price on OG, but got his wish with a considerable return. On the departing trio: “It’s never easy to say goodbye, especially when players like OG and Malachi have spent their careers with our team. We wish Precious, Malachi and OG all the best.”
- Both teams have been hovering around the play-in spots for postseason contention in recent seasons, but their future will be impacted – good and bad – by this surprising trade haul… who will have the last laugh?
Since this article was first published, Toronto (12-20) succumbed to a second consecutive narrow defeat – this time in Detroit against the Pistons, ending their NBA record-tying losing streak at 28 games against an obviously short-handed side.
RJ Barrett was the third pick in the 2019 NBA draft behind Duke teammate Zion Williamson (New Orleans) and Ja Morant (Memphis) and this trade serves as a homecoming for the Toronto-born guard/forward, quietly with a point to prove.
Barrett is averaging 18.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 42.3% from the floor, slightly below his career-high averages in Year 5 for a divisive rising star whose long-term future has been on a ticking time window since signing a rookie max extension last summer.
He didn’t take the leap New York’s hierarchy were anticipating after their well-documented Donovan Mitchell pursuit fell flat, and wasn’t untouchable in the way Brunson – their big acquisition from the same summer – quickly proved.
Immanuel Quickley finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting last season and currently ranks in top five across total points and plus-minus off the bench so far this season, averaging career-highs in points (15.0), field goal (45.4) and three-point percentage (39.5) too. New York must do more before this can be regarded a success.
Picture source: Getty Images, information source hyperlinked
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