The New York Knicks traded RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to the Toronto Raptors for OG Anunoby in a blockbuster NBA trade on Saturday.
While Barrett loved playing for the Knicks, he sees the Raptors as a great option to play for, according to NBA insider Ian Begley of SNY. Barrett was born and raised in Toronto.
The Knicks drafted Barrett with the third overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Duke. The lefty is averaging 18.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists this season while shooting 42.3% from the field, 33.1% from beyond the arc and 83.1% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS, TRADE RUMORS: RJ Barrett, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors Updates
Barrett is making $23.9 million this season. He signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the Knicks in September 2022.
The 23-year-old Barrett has career averages of 18.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He now gets to play for the team he grew up rooting for. The swingman is a career 42.2% shooter from the floor, 34.2% shooter from 3 and 72.0% shooter from the foul line.
The Raptors appear to be building around Barrett, Quickley and Scottie Barnes. NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN is reporting that Toronto is expected to trade All-Star Pascal Siakam after moving Anunoby.
NBA NEWS, TRADE RUMORS: RJ Barrett, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors Updates
Barrett is a talented scorer, but he needs to improve his efficiency. It will be intriguing to see if the Ontario native can become a more efficient scorer with the Raptors, who are in 12th place in the Eastern Conference standings.
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