On December 31, Beijing time, the last day of 2023, the Knicks and Raptors officially announced that they had reached a 3-for-3 dealThe Knicks sent Barrett + Quickley + a 2024 second-round pick (from the Pistons) to Anunoby + Achiuwa + Malazi Flynn from the Raptors trade. This is a deal that has been struck, not a rumor.
A few hours before the official announcement,Quickley read Shams' report and learned that he had been traded, tweeting: "Oh my God!”There are actually quite a few players like Quickley who are "late aware". This can also see how good the NBA's top reporters are, the player himself has not received the team's **, and the reporter has already received the news of the trade.
There is actually another reason why Quickley was so surprised, he just played the best season of his career, and he didn't expect to be traded. Quickley has averaged 24 minutes per game this seasonScore 15 points 26 rebounds 25 assists, 3 field percentage: 454%，39.5% and 872%。The average points per game, shooting and three-point shooting percentage are all career highs.
Quickley is playing so well, why would the Knicks trade him?Quickley's rookie contract expires next summerHe has been seeking a contract extension with an average salary of $25 million this offseason, but was rejected by the Knicks. The Raptors have a bunch of forward players, but not enough reserves on the guard line. After Quickley joined, he could compete with Schroder for the starter.
In addition to Quickley, the Raptors also got a 2024 second-round pick and Barrett. Let's talk about this second-round pick firstBecause of the Pistons (the league's worst record), the probability is 31 picks, which is about the same as the draft pick at the end of the first round. Let's talk about Barrett, who is originally Canadian, and now he has been sent to the Raptors, and it is not bad to go back to his hometown to play.
In the 2022 offseason, the Knicks 4 years 1$200 million to renew Barrett's contract, I didn't expect to trade him so soon. Barrett is the 2019 Flower ShowHe averaged 18 per game with the Knicks this season2 points 43 plates 24 assists, 3 field percentage: 423%，33.1% and 831%。The average points per game is the lowest in nearly three years, and the rebounds and assists are both career lows.
Let's talk about the three players the Knicks got: Anunoby, Achiuwa and Flynn. One of the most valuable deals is AnunobyThis season averaged 151 point 39 plate 26 assists and 1 steal, three-point shooting percentage: 489%，37.4% and 717%。He has a four-year, $72 million contract expiring in the summer of 2025 with a final year player option.
By the summer of 2024, Anunoby could give up the player option and become a free agent, and he also wants a big contract!Yahoo Sports reporter Jake Fischer revealedAnunoby asked the Raptors for a $40 million contract extension, but the Raptors refused. With Anunoby being traded to the Knicks, he expressed his willingness to lower the asking price.
Anunoby and Barrett are both forwards, with the former defensively better. Knicks center Miro is out for the season, and the addition of Achiuwa is a supplement to the Knicks' interior line. Achiuwa is averaging 17 games per game this season5 minutesGet 77 points 54 rebounds 18 assists 06 steals 05 blocks, 3 field percentage: 459%，27.7% and 571%。
Finally, there's Flynn, who is a defender. The Knicks got three, a front, an interior and a guard. Flynn is averaging 15 games per game this season3 minutes,Get 51 point 21 rebound 24 assists 06 steals, three-point shooting: 409%, 35% and 773%。This stats and performance are not on the same level as Quickley.
After the deal is done, the starting lineups of the Raptors and Knicks are as follows!Knicks Raptors trade Who do you think made this deal?