After years of NBA trade rumors linking the New York Knicks to the biggest superstars in basketball, team president Leon Rose has finally executed a big trade. But it’s not for an All-Star.
Still, coach Tom Thibodeau will love having 2022-23 All-NBA defender OG Anunoby thrown into the mix with the rest of the Knicks.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Knicks are trading RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and draft capital to the Toronto Raptors for Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn. The draft capital is just one second-round selection heading to Toronto from the Detroit Pistons.
For the Raptors, it ends a multi-year cycle of rumors of teams coming after Anunoby, who inked a four-year, $72 million contract in 2020. It’s a very affordable rate for a player capable of scoring 15+ points per game while providing top-notch defense.
But now Anunoby’s in the final year of that contract and has a player option for the 2024-25 season, which he’s nearly guaranteed to reject since it pays $18 million, and he can make much more on the open market. Yet, by trading for him now, the Knicks secure his bird rights and should have an easier time getting him to agree to a long-term extension.
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