According to sources, RJ Barrett will be traded to the Knicks in exchange for O.G. Anunoby of the Raptors.
According to insiders, the Knicks had been interested in re-signing Anunoby as a free agency this summer. They have been courting him for quite some time, and they are also receiving guard Malachi Flynn and forward Precious Achiuwa in the transaction.
Before Anunoby’s free agency, the Knicks have the chance to sell him on a future in New York. Anunoby, 26, has been one of the most sought-after trade assets in the league for the previous two years. The Knicks have always thought Anunoby would be a good complement to Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson.
With a 17-14 record and seventh-place Eastern Conference finish, New York has enough of draft assets to make bigger transactions in the next few weeks and months.
On a game-by-game basis this season, Anunoby has put up 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.0 steals. According to ESPN Stats & Information, he was second in defensive half-court matchups versus All-Stars last year, behind only Mikal Bridges of Brooklyn. Over the previous two seasons, Anunoby has ranked third in the NBA in thefts per game with an average of 1.7.
The Raptors (12-19) bring back Barrett, who is from Canada; Quickley, a high-scoring 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. This season, Quickley set new personal bests in three categories: points (15.0 per game), field goal percentage (45.4), and three-point field goal percentage (39.5).
Quickley, who finished second in the Sixth Man of the Year voting last season, sits in the top five in total points and plus-minus off the bench this season, according to ESPN Stats & Info research.
According to insiders, the Leafs will keep looking into trades involving forward Pascal Siakam, but at this time, no deals are gaining momentum. Both Siakam and Anunoby might be free agents this summer.
The transaction is the first between the teams since 2013 and comes amid an ongoing legal dispute between the franchises. The Knicks sued the Raptors and members of the company in August on allegations that a former Knicks employee transmitted secret files to the Raptors following his departure. There is no change to the lawsuit’s status despite the trade, sources said.