The Toronto Raptors traded O.G. Anunoby along with Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn to the New York Knicks for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a second-round pick (via Detroit).
The move was a surprising one and seemingly came out of no where. However, given the Raptors struggles this season it was one that made sense as Toronto desperately needed to shake thing up.
Anunoby officially said goodbye to Raptors fans and thanked them for all of their support over the seven seasons he spent playing for them in a heartfelt message on Instagram:
View this post on Instagram
Anunoby was one of the last remaining players on the 2018-19 Raptors team that won the NBA Championship. Now that Anunoby is gone, that leaves Pascal Siakam and Chris Boucher as the only players left from that roster.
Anunoby was in many trade rumors dating back to last season’s trade deadline. Masai Ujiri and company didn’t pull the trigger and waited things out. But then the Raptors got off to a bad start this season and hit their breaking point. That’s when Toronto needed a major change to turn things around.
Although it’s tough to see Anunoby go, Toronto received two young starters in Quickley and Barrett who have already made an immediate impact.
Anunoby has also made an immediate impact with his new team the Knicks.
Anunoby played 35 minutes in his first game with New York on New Year’s Day against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds and was 3-6 from deep.
He then had 11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and was a +35 in another Knicks win over the Chicago Bulls.
Anunoby vs. the Raptors
Anunoby will have a chance to play against his former team later this month when the Knicks take on the Raptors in New York on Jan. 20.
He will return to Toronto on March 27.
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