Knicks acquire OG Anunoby from Raptors in exchange for RJ Barrett & Immanuel Quickley

The New York Knicks are announced today that the team has acquired OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a second-round pick. The news was initially reported by ESPN.

The Knicks are parting ways with two key offensive contributors — Barrett, a starting forward, and Quickley, one of the NBA’s top reserves. However, the strategic move aims to fortify the team’s defense, with Anunoby holding the league’s record in steals last season.

The impact of the trade was immediate, leaving both teams understaffed for their respective Saturday night games. The Raptors are in Detroit, facing the Pistons, while the Knicks are in Indiana.

Anunoby is expected to seamlessly fill Barrett’s role in the Knicks’ starting lineup. Standing at 6 feet 7 inches, the versatile swingman is averaging 15.1 points.

Barrett, the third overall pick in the 2019 draft, averages 18.2 points. However, recent struggles with his outside shooting, notably going 2 for 12 from beyond the arc in the last two games, may have factored into the decision. Despite this, Barrett played a pivotal role in the Knicks reaching the playoffs twice in the last three seasons, breaking a seven-year playoff drought.

Quickley, the runner-up for the Sixth Man of the Year award last season, departs from the Knicks. Known for his versatility, he averaged 15 points per game off the bench and the ability to play both guard positions. Now, the Knicks face the challenge of finding a replacement.

This trade follows a legal episode, with the Knicks filing a lawsuit against the Raptors four months ago. The lawsuit alleged a conspiracy to pilfer thousands of videos and scouting secrets after the Raptors hired a former Knicks scouting employee.