OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks
RJ Barrett is an interesting young player. At just 22 years old, he has plenty of potential but has yet to fully put it all together in the Big Apple. He has struggled at times with inconsistency and inefficiency. Barrett averaged 19.6 points, five rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game this year. However, he shot just 43.4% from the field, 31% from three, and 74% from the FT line on the year.
Barrett has shown the ability to hit threes at a high clip (shot 40.1% from behind the arc in his second season in 2020-21) but has failed to do so consistently (has shot just 32.5% from three in his other three seasons). The Raptors would hope that a change of scenery would help Barrett fully unlock his potential and take his game to the next level in his second contract.
The Raptors would also land Dallas’ protected 1st rounder from the Knicks (which they got in the Kristaps Porzingis trade way back in 2019, which did not convey this year). The pick is top 10 protected but is much more likely to convey next year in my opinion as Dallas looks to retool around Luka Doncic. If the pick once again doesn’t convey in 2024, it would again defer another year to 2025 (while still being top 10 protected).
If it doesn’t convey then, it will turn into a 2025 2nd rounder. However, the likelihood of Dallas picking in the top 10 each of the next years feels highly unlikely as long as they have Luka. Toronto would also pick up another 1st rounder from the Knicks two years down the line as well.
The Knicks also have questions as well, as they look to build off of a solid 47-35 regular season that ended in an Eastern Conference Semi’s defeat to the Heat. Even after a successful season, there are questions surrounding the future of some of their top players such as Barrett and Julius Randle. Whether the Knicks keep Randle or not, Anunoby should form a strong core alongside Jalen Brunson (and potentially others such as Josh Hart (if he opts in or is re-signed), Immanuel Quickley, and Quentin Grimes).
This is a move that I think helps all parties. It gives Barrett a fresh start, it improves the Knicks on the court in my opinion as they look to take the next step, and for the Raptors they add a 22-year old they hope to be able to build around and a couple of future 1st’s.
This is another trade where the Raptors might need an opt-out before it can happen, with Barrett set to make $5 million more than Anunoby