BREAKING: Raptors & Knicks Pull Off Blockbuster Trade

The Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks have pulled off a blockbuster deal, sending pending unrestricted free agent OG Anunoby to the Big Apple in return for a big haul including RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and the Knicks' second-round pick in the 2024 Draft, via Detroit.

The Toronto Raptors are finalizing a trade to send OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks for a package including RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and draft considerations, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/Z81TH1EexF
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 30, 2023

The Raptors also send big man Precious Achiuwa and point guard Malachi Flynn to New York as part of the deal.

The trade is a long time coming, as the Knicks have been one of the teams interested in Anunoby for over a year, since it became clear that he would be exercising his opt-out ($19.9M) after this season to become a UFA. The Knicks reportedly offered multiple first-rounders for OG at last season’s trade deadline but Masai Ujiri was not yet ready to pull the trigger.

The Knicks hope he's the 3-and-D presence they've lacked, to push them over the top. The 26-year-old is expected to command between $30M-$40M AAV on a free agent deal in the summer.

OG Anunoby told several agencies in the off-season that he was interested in a larger offensive role that would be commensurate with a salary figure in the ballpark of $40 million in average annual value, per @JakeLFischer

“However, Anunoby did leave those potential agents with… pic.twitter.com/ifYAVh8D2a
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 30, 2023

As for RJ Barrett, the Knicks' 3rd overall pick in the 2019 Draft, he's heading home to Toronto, where he grew up rooting for the Raptors. He's averaging 18.2 points this season, right around his career mark. His 3-point shooting, however, has disappeared the past couple of seasons, at 33% this year and 31% last season.

Quickley is a dynamic young guard who becomes a restricted free agent after this season. He came into the year as one of the Sixth Man of the Year favorites (and a runner-up for the Award last season), and hasn't disappointed yet, averaging 15 points and 39.5% from long range. He'll likely take over as the starting point guard for the Raptors.

Photo: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports