A major Knicks-Raptors trade went down before the year ended.
The Toronto Raptors sent OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn to the New York Knicks in exchange for Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and a 2024 second-round pick (via Detroit, likely pick 31 or 32).
The Knicks aspire to compete in the playoffs between the two teams, while the Raptors are deemed a non-playoff team.
Although the two teams are coming from different scenarios, moves still have to be made to get to the next step. Who between the Raptors and the Knicks won this trade?
First, the players probably felt good after this development in their careers.
RJ Barrett gets to play for his home country after spending four years with the Knicks. OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa can play in the postseason again.
As for the franchises, both teams got what they needed.
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New York got a third star in Anunoby to play alongside Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle.
Anunoby, a 2023 All-Defensive Second Team member, is a versatile forward who can play both ends of the floor.
He is an elite defender one-on-one and hustles hard for help defense, too. He can be the Knicks' answer to great small forwards like Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Maxey, Donovan Mitchell, and Jimmy Butler come playoff time. He showed that capability in his debut against the Minnesota Timberwolves when he locked up Anthony Edwards several times.
In terms of offense, he is an efficient shooter and an effective off-the-ball wing player who will fit with Brunson's playing style.
What is excellent about Anunoby, too, is he is just 26 years old. Knicks have in them a player they can sign for a long term.
Achiuwa is also the answer for the Knicks frontline after Mitchell Robinson went down with a season-ending ankle injury.
Meanwhile, the Raptors got a good deal for their key players, unlike when Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet walked away without anything in return.
They have won this trade.
Knicks-Raptors Trade Winner: Raptors
The Raptors' move is part of their overhaul in a new direction. They played three forwards in the lineup without any good results, and letting go of Anunoby suggests they no longer subscribe to that scheme.
They are making the franchise Scottie Barnes' team, and getting picks and tradeable assets is a great supporting move to make that happen.
Immanuel Quickley was a sixth man for the Knicks but he could be a starter, maybe take that role from Dennis Schroder as the season progresses.
Barrett, meanwhile, can be a 2 or 3, depending on the opponents. Pascal Siakam will be their number 4, and Jakob Poeltl at the 5 spot. This lineup is enough to contend for the play-in or Top 6 spot in the Eastern Conference.
They can be better this season and still have good assets for the next one with the draft picks they received from the Knicks.
Raptors won this trade because they had answers to their immediate needs and got enough for their rebuild.
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