Raptors trade Anunoby, Achiuwa, Flynn to Knicks for Barrett, Quickley, pick

The Toronto Raptors traded OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn to the New York Knicks in exchange for Canada's RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round draft pick originally belonging to the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, the team announced.

"We're excited about welcoming Immanuel and RJ to our team," Raptors president Masai Ujiri said in a statement. "Immanuel is a young, talented playmaker who we believe will provide a spark on both ends of the court. RJ is a versatile wing who is, of course, well-known in his hometown, and seeing him in a Raptors uniform will be a special moment for our fans and for all Canadians.

"It's never easy to say goodbye, especially when players like OG and Malachi have spent their career with our team. We wish Precious, Malachi and OG all the best."

Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic said Barrett and Quickley will not be available for Saturday's game in Detroit against the Pistons. The team will have just 10 healthy players.

"Just playing against those two guys the last couple of years in the NBA, I have a lot of respect for them. I think they're tremendous young players with a lot of upside, lot of potential," Rajakovic said.

"I know our fans and our whole city (are) going to love those guys and everyone is excited to welcome them."

Anunoby is in the final year of his deal, and although he does have a $19.9-million player option for next season, he is expected to decline it and enter free agency.

Selected by the Raptors in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2017 NBA Draft, Anunoby has spent his entire seven-year career in Toronto.

Anunoby is primarily known for his defensive prowess and is often tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best offensive player. 

With Anunoby being traded and point guard Fred VanVleet’s off-season departure, Pascal Siakam is now the only remaining player from the Raptors’ 2019 championship season.

Achiuwa, originally a first-round selection for the Miami Heat in 2020, was acquired by the Raptors as part of the sign-and-trade deal that sent Kyle Lowry to Miami. He's spent three years with the Raptors, averaging 20.6 minutes across 153 games during that time.

Achiuwa has averaged 7.7 points in 17.5 minutes over 25 games this season. He is a restricted free agent after this year.

Flynn, Toronto's first-round pick (29th overall) in the 2020 draft, struggled to stay in the rotation for the Raptors.

"Always when those moments come, it's hard," Rajakovic said. "You get to work with somebody, you work for a long time, you're developing relationships. Things (like) this are a part of the business."

The six-foot-seven Barrett, from Mississauga, Ont., has averaged 18.2 points a game and is a solid three-point shooter. The six-foot-three Quickley has averaged 15 points per game this season.

Barrett is in the first year of a four-year, $107-million deal. He helped Canada qualify for the Olympics and finish third at the World Cup this past summer.

"RJ is a very dynamic player, he's a very good cutter, good driver, improved spot-up shooters as well. I'm really excited to see how he's going to jell with our team and what's next on our team," Rajakovic said.

Quickley, who finished second in sixth man of the year voting last season, becomes a restricted free agent after this season.

The deal comes in the midst of a legal battle between the Raptors and the Knicks with each side issuing numerous court filings over New York’s allegations that Toronto stole video files.

The Raptors (12-19) are one game out of a play-in tournament spot. All eyes will now turn to Pascal Siakam, who can become a free agent after this season.

Sportsnet's Michael Grange reports league sources are expecting Siakam to be dealt before the Feb. 8 trade deadline.

The Knicks (17-14) are seventh in the East.

The teams next play each other Jan. 20 in New York.