Knicks trade grades: OG Anunoby a big score for New York; Immanuel Quickley perfect for Raptors

[ad_1]

The long-anticipated OG Anunoby trade has finally dropped. As first reported by ESPN, Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn are headed to the New York Knicks, who are sending a package of RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round pick back to the Raptors. 

Let’s grade the trade. 

New York Knicks: A-

This is all based on the assumption that Anunoby, who is slated to become a free agent this summer, will indeed re-sign with the Knicks. If he doesn’t, this is a bust. But I can’t imagine the Knicks doing this deal without such assurances. An agreement is almost certainly in place. 

Now, the question becomes: What kind of contract will Anunoby get? He slots into that dangerous zone of a non-max player who is going to command near-max money. North of $35 million annually is in play, while Barrett is locked into an AAV of $26M over the next four years. 

Two things on that. First, Anunoby is going to make more money than Barrett because he’s a better player than Barrett. Second, who cares if the Knicks overpay a little bit for Anunoby? The last thing anyone should be worried about is James Dolan’s bottom line, and the little extra cap space that Barrett’s deal might have afforded them this summer — with which they were not going to be in the market for a player as good as Anunoby — is largely inconsequential. 

Now, onto the basketball. 

Anunoby is everything the Knicks wanted, and needed, Barrett to be. He’s a 6-foot-7 wing who defends at an elite level and consistently makes 3-pointers. Barrett is younger, but continuing to hope on the upside of his physical archetype and occasional flashes of shooting was increasingly a fool’s errand for a Knicks team that is not operating on as long a timeline as some people like to think. 

Jalen Brunson is 27 years old. Julius Randle is 29. Mitchell Robinson will be 26 the next time he plays for the Knicks. This is not an OKC situation. Anunoby is ready to take the Knicks to another level right now. If you haven’t spent a lot of time watching the Raptors, he’s really good. His…

[ad_2]
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/knicks-trade-grades-og-anunoby-a-big-score-for-new-york-immanuel-quickley-perfect-for-raptors/

Author : Brad Botkin

Publish date : 2023-12-30 20:49:05

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.