Knicks make blockbuster trade to land two-way standout

Oct 30, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The first big trade domino of the NBA season has fallen, with OG Anunoby headed to the New York Knicks.

The Knicks are acquiring Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for a package headlined by RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, as first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The Raptors are also acquiring a 2024 2nd-round pick as part of the deal.

The Toronto Raptors are acquiring a New York 2024 second-round pick via the Detroit Pistons, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/Rj8sBnmBV1

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 30, 2023

Anunoby is a highly-regarded two-way talent, particularly on defense, where he earned second team All-Defensive honors in 2023. He can also score, averaging 15.1 points per game with the Raptors so far this season. He has long been the subject of trade rumors, going back to early 2022. They have only intensified in recent months, as he is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.

For the Knicks, the price is steep. Barrett, a former lottery pick, is still only 23 and is averaging 18.2 points per game this season. The trade to the Raptors will serve as a homecoming for the Toronto native. Quickley has been a productive bench scorer for the Knicks since entering the league. His name has also shown up in trade rumors, and he will likely get a larger role in Toronto.

The Knicks are 17-14 but are clearly serious about making some noise in the Eastern Conference this year. Giving up this much also suggests they will try to keep Anunoby long-term, as the deal would not make as much sense if they don’t.