The Toronto Raptors finally shook things up.
They traded O.G. Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn to the New York Knicks for Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and a 2024 second-round draft pick (via Detroit).
Toronto was in desperate need of a change after their season got off to a rough start. While it will be tough to see Anunoby go to a division rival, the Raptors are getting two good young pieces who are top level scorers.
Quickley is averaging a career-high 15.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 30 games this season. He is shooting it 45.4 percent from the field and 39.5 percent from deep. He is a dynamic guard that will be an excellent fit alongside Scottie Barnes.
Meanwhile, Barrett is averaging 18.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 26 games all as a starter this season. He is shooting it 42.3 percent from the field and 33.1 percent from downtown. Barrett is originally from Toronto so he will return home.
This is the Raptors projected starting lineup and depth chart after the trade:
PG: Immanuel Quickley, Dennis Schroder, Markquis Nowell
SG: RJ Barrett, Gary Trent Jr, Gradey Dick
SF: Scottie Barnes, Jalen McDaniels, Otto Porter Jr, Garrett Temple
PF: Pascal Siakam, Chris Boucher, Thad Young
C: Jakob Poeltl, Christian Koloko
Quickley is likely going to start at point guard. He is averaging 22.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists per contest in 21 games as a starter this season.
Barnes will be back at small forward but he’ll still have the ball in his hands a lot.
The Raptors bench should be better now as Dennis Schroder will remain with the second unit alongside Gary Trent Jr. Chris Boucher and Jalen McDaniels. That will likely make up Darko Rajakovic’s regular nine-man rotation.
The Raptors are thin at center until Christian Koloko is cleared to play again.
Raptors roster after the trade
The Raptors roster seems a lot more balanced after this trade.
The Raptors have a complete starting 5 and while they might be a little thin with their frontcourt depth, their bench should offer a lot more scoring with Schroder and Trent Jr. leading the charge.
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