Knicks getting Raptors’ O.G. Anunoby, deal RJ Barrett, sources say،
The New York Knicks are acquiring forward OG Anunoby in a trade that sends RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round pick to the Toronto Raptors, sources told ESPN on Saturday.
The Knicks, who also get forward Precious Achiuwa and guard Malachi Flynn in the deal, have been pursuing Anunoby for some time and are determined to re-sign him as a free agent this summer, the Knicks said sources.
Anunoby, 26, has been one of the league's most coveted trade assets over the past two years, and the Knicks now have an opportunity to trade him for a future in New York before his free agency. The Knicks strongly believe Anunoby fits well in a lineup with Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle.
New York, which is 17-14 and seventh in the Eastern Conference, retains important assets to make more impactful trades in the weeks and months to come.
Anunoby averaged 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.0 steals per game this season. He ranked second in half-court defensive matchups against the All-Stars a year ago, behind Brooklyn's Mikal Bridges, according to data from ESPN Stats & Information. Anunoby has averaged 1.7 steals per game over the past two years, third-most in the NBA.
The Raptors (12-19) bring back Barrett, who is from Canada; Quickley, a high-performing bench guard; and a 2024 second-round pick via the Detroit Pistons. Barrett, the No. 3 pick in the 2019 draft, is averaging 18.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game this season. Quickley is reaching career highs in scoring (15.0), field goal percentage (45.4) and 3-point shooting percentage (39.5) this season.
Quickley, who finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting last season, ranks top five in total points and plus-minus off the bench this season, according to research from ESPN Stats & Info .
Toronto is expected to continue exploring trades involving forward Pascal Siakam, but there are no successful deals at this time, sources said. Siakam and Anunoby could become free agents this summer.
The trade is the first between the teams since 2013 and comes amid ongoing legal dispute between the franchises. The Knicks sued the Raptors and members of the organization in August over allegations that a former Knicks employee sent confidential files to the Raptors upon his departure. There is no change in the status of the trial despite the exchange, sources said.
