Throughout the season, there has been a persistent question surrounding the New York Knicks – what does the future hold for RJ Barrett?
However, the answer to this question was finally revealed on Saturday, as the Knicks reportedly agreed to trade the Canadian-born Barrett to his native Toronto in a blockbuster deal with the Raptors.
According to multiple reports, Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a second-round draft pick will be sent to Toronto in exchange for OG Anunoby, Malachi Flynn and Precious Achiuwa.
The Toronto Raptors are finalizing a trade to send OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks for a package including RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and draft considerations, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/Z81TH1EexF
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 30, 2023
Anunoby, a seven-year NBA veteran, has spent his entire career in Toronto. where he’s become a defensive stalwart and key contributor. This season, the 26-year-old is averaging 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game across 27 contests. A first-round pick of the Raptors in 2017, the Indiana Hoosiers product was instrumental in Toronto’s 2019 championship run. After leading the league in steals, he finally saw defensive prowess be recognized this past season with an All-Defensive Second Team selection in 2022-23.
“New York has been pursuing Anunboy for a significant period of time and now gets a head start on recruiting him to stay as a free agent in the summer,” wrote ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on X. “Anunboy’s two-way talent has made him a target throughout the league — and now he lands in the Knicks lineup.”
Barrett was the third-highest scorer on the Knicks team this season, averaging 18.2 points per game. This trade marks a bit of homecoming for the Godson of Steve Nash. Barrett was born in Toronto and raised in Mississauga, Ontario, before moving to the United States for his sophomore year of high school. He then played basketball at Montverde Academy before attending Duke University.
Quickley, a Kentucky product, was averaging 15 points per game off the bench for Tom Thibedou’s squad. His inclusion in the trade was met with a lot of angst from Knicks fans on social media.
[Adrian Wojnarowski]
