Title: Raptors retool: Analyzing how Barrett and Quickley will fit in Toronto
Date: December 31, 2023
Original Source: Sportsnet
Synopsis: In my latest at Sportsnet, I broke down the new additions for the Raptors from the OG Anunoby-Knicks trade.
It happened a little sooner than anyone anticipated. Rather than wait until the Feb. 8 trade deadline to canvas the league for a better offer a while longer, the Toronto Raptors traded OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks on Saturday.
I got most of my feelings out over the course of a two-hour emergency show, and with plenty of trickle-down still to analyze, I’ll be brief with my primary reaction: Losing Anunoby is hard, as he’s been an excellent Raptor and fills a very necessary role on a good team. However, his value is significantly higher to a team that is good now than one that wants to be good sometime in the near-ish future. Most readings of the tea leaves also suggested that it would require a very large contract to retain him as an unrestricted free agent this summer, and if he could get more money and a new (and winning) situation elsewhere, he’d go the Fred VanVleet route. It’s unfortunate the team is in a spot where players would like to see if other pastures are greener. If, however, you were resigned to Anunoby leaving in free agency, the return the Raptors got back from the Knicks is a strong one.
Blake Murphy Sports Writing 