Grading Knicks Anunoby Trade

Grading the OG Anunoby trade two weeks later

Right before the new year, Leon Rose and the New York Knicks made a surprise trade for two-way forward OG Anunoby. In return, the Knicks gave up two fundamental pieces of their young backcourt - R.J Barrett and Immanuel Quickley. At a first glance, it seemed that Toronto won the deal considering that New York refused to include Barrett in a trade for Donovan Mitchell in 2022 and Quickley’s spark-plug scoring output coming off the bench. However, with a bit of time to fully digest the trade, there is a clear winner of this transaction which happened a month and a half before February's trade deadline.

New York Knicks - A

OG Anunoby immediately improves any contender with his skill set of versatile defense, size, and 3-point shooting. In this case, the Knicks add a player who perfectly compliments Jalen Brunson (a top 15 player this year, isn’t that crazy? Poor Mavericks) on both ends of the floor. Trading for OG gives New York a player who can guard Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, Tyrese Maxey, and keep up with Giannis and Embiid. Who would be guarding those players if the Knicks didn’t make this trade? Who? Josh Hart? Yes, trading Quickley hurts but New York has the draft capital to trade for other role players (may I interest you in Jordan Clarkson or Malcom Brogdon? How about Cole Anthony?). Additionally, Quickley’s contract expires at the end of the season and God knows how much money he would have requested ($20 million a year? For a backup PG?) On the other hand, RJ Barrett has yet to take the step the Knicks have hoped for a couple of seasons now. Terrific trade for the Knicks.

Toronto Raptors - B+

It’s a win-win trade for both teams. Toronto adds two promising young guards to prepare for their long awaited rebuild. Being the lead guard in the backcourt, RJ Barrett has the opportunity to make legitimate progression. Likewise, Quickley is finally unleashed to truly showcase his value as a starting point guard. Alongside Scottie Barnes (who is having a really underrated year), Toronto has a legit core to build around for the foreseeable future.

My All-Star Votes

West:

G - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

G - Luka Doncic

F - Kawhi Leonard

F - Anthony Davis

C - Nikola Jokic

G - Anthony Edwards

G - De’Aaron Fox

G - Stephen Curry

F - LeBron James

F - Lauri Markkanen

C - Alperen Sengun

East:

G - Tyrese Haliburton

G - Jalen Brunson

F - Jayson Tatum

F - Giannis Antetokounmpo

C- Joel Embiid

G - Damian Lillard

G - Tyrese Maxey

G - Derrick White

F - Jaylen Brown

F - Julius Randle

C - Bam Adebayo