In the first major move of the
2023-24 NBA season, the Toronto Raptors have dealt OG Anunoby to the New York
Knicks in exchange for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024
second-round pick. Along with Anunoby, the Knicks will also receive
Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn.
Here are some takeaways from
this blockbuster trade.
Immanuel Quickley’s imminent rise
Perhaps the player who benefits
most from this deal is Immanuel Quickley. The 24-year-old will now
be the lead guard for a Raptors team lacking a reliable point
guard. Scottie Barnes has been slotted in the position at times to
take some of the pressure off of Dennis Schroder, who was recently
brought off the bench.
Like former Kentucky teammate
Tyrese Maxey, Quickley has shown flashes of taking that leap as the
main point guard with some good performances with the Knicks. He is
one of the best scoring options off the bench in the NBA, currently
averaging 15 points per game in just 24 minutes. Now, Quickley will
get to do it for Toronto and earn a big payday, as New York
probably wasn’t willing to pay him this offseason since he plays
the same position as Jalen Brunson.
RJ Barrett’s homecoming
Another storyline to watch in
this trade is RJ Barrett returning to play for his
hometown.
Born and raised in Toronto,
Barrett has been solid for the Knicks, averaging 18.1 points per
game over his five-year career. The 6-foot-6 lefty is poised to
bring his consistent play to the Raptors and contribute alongside
Barnes.
Moreover, Barrett will finally
get to play in his home country, where he once led Canada to a huge
victory over heavy favorites USA in the FIBA U19 in 2017,
contributing 38 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists.
Will OG Anunoby re-sign with the Knicks?
On paper, the Knicks have a
solid eight-man playoff rotation now, which could give the East
some problems.
However, this might not be the
year for New York to make a title run, as Mitchell Robinson has
been ruled out for the season. And so the question remains: Will
Anunoby stay with the Knicks after this season?
The 6-foot-7 wing will likely
ask for around $40 million per year as reported, which seems like a
lot for a player in his role. But then again, it’s possible the
Knicks knew what Anunoby would cost prior to making this deal and
felt comfortable with it given that Anunoby is represented by
CAA.
Precious Achiuwa’s value for the Knicks
With Robinson out for the season
(and possibly the playoffs), backup big Isaiah Hartenstein is now
starting for the squad. Taj Gibson, one of Tom Thibodeau’s former
players, was signed to fill in and provide depth, but he’s been
underwhelming thus far.
Enter Precious
Achiuwa.
Possibly an underrated pickup in
this deal, the stretch big is another body that Thibs could use
come playoff time. Achiuwa is a 6-foot-8, 225-pound center/forward
who is physical and has a decent shot. He will add a different
dimension to the Knicks’ bench as a floor spacer at the 5 position,
depending on how he will be used on offense.
