Reshaping 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.
And for Toronto, it could just be the start of a major rebuilding process to prioritise developing the franchise around one of the team’s brightest young stars.
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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.
As for the Raptors, this may just be the start of the team’s rebuild around young wing Scottie Barnes, with NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reporting Toronto will continue to explore trade scenarios involving Pascal Siakam.
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, meanwhile, also reported that league personnel are “certainly prepared for a Siakam trade to follow suit”.
“Before this weekend’s deal, Siakam was the Toronto veteran whom rival executives were pegging as the most likely Raptor to be dealt,” he wrote.
The deal between the Raptors and Knicks comes as both franchises are pitted against each other in a lawsuit over alleged stolen scouting secrets.
This article first appeared on The New York Postand was reproduced with permission
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