NBA Trades: Shaking the landscape of the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks have acquired OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors in a blockbuster deal.
The NBA Trade Deadline may be more than two months away but the New York Knicks didn't waste any time in making their big move. In an attempt to compete with the likes of the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks acquired OG Anunoby in a blockbuster trade with the Toronto Raptors.
The Knicks have been singled out as a team that was preparing to make a big move. Many viewed the NBA Trade Deadline as an opportunity for New York to make that happen. In the end, the Knicks decided to strike before the deadline. In what may end up being the biggest move of the trade season, New York is adding Anunoby to what may not be a championship-caliber roster.
The New York Knicks acquire OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors in blockbuster trade
Officially, the Knicks traded RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a 2024 second-round pick (via Detroit Pistons) to the Raptors in exchange for Anunoby, Malachi Flynn, and Precious Achiuwa.
This is a deal that could end up working out tremendously for both sides. The Raptors are clearly shifting toward a youth movement and the Knicks wanted to add a two-way star player that is more ready to win now than Barrett. New York accomplished that with this move.
The question is, who will this end up working out for both sides?
How will this move work out for the New York Knicks?
The New York Knicks needed to make a move for an established difference-maker. They did so by adding OG Anunoby. New York had to give up RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, but could end up working out for all parties involved. Barrett hadn't developed at the pace that the Knicks hoped when they drafted him a few years ago and it was going to be difficult for New York to pay Quickley like a starter without a starting role.
Anunoby fits the timeline of the Knicks trying to win now. He's going to do a lot of what the Knicks needed from Barrett, and likely at a more efficient and consistent rate. He also has some unlocked potential on the offensive end of the floor that could be found in a new role.
The big question for the Knicks is whether this move is enough to put them over the top in the East. I'm not so sure, but it's one heck of a first step. Plus, the Knicks still have draft assets to make another move heading into the stretch run or during the offseason.
All in all, you can't blame the Knicks for making this move. It makes sense on every single level, assuming they're able to re-sign him in the offseason.
How will this move work out for the Toronto Raptors?
I'd have to imagine that the Raptors wanted to pull off this move with enough time between now and the trade deadline to truly explore their possibilities with Pascal Siakam. Adding two young budding stars like Barrett and Quickley to the roster, I'd still imagine Siakam is likely a player who gets moved.
If the right deal comes around, the Raptors are likely pulling the trigger on a Siakam deal too. But the next few weeks could tell us a lot more about the direction of this franchise than we know at the moment. Either way, in a vacuum, this seems like excellent value for Anunoby who was probably leaving in free agency anyway.
The next few weeks ahead of the trade deadline should prove to be interesting. This blockbuster move between the Raptors and Knicks may have just got it all started. I still have a feeling this isn't the last move that the Raptors make before this year's NBA Trade Deadline.
Buckle up, we could be in for an exciting next few weeks.