Right before the calendar turned over to 2024, the Toronto Raptors made perhaps the first significant trade of this NBA season by receiving RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a second-round draft pick from the New York Knicks for OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa.
While both teams have seemingly received a boost following this deal, the Knicks appear to have benefitted the most, as they immediately went on a five-game winning streak.
However, on an individual basis, Barrett has been doing very well in his new surroundings, and Basketball Reference pointed out that in his six games with Toronto, he’s averaging 21.8 points a game, and his efficiency has been through the roof.
RJ Barrett is averaging 21.8 points per game on .709 TS% since being traded to the @Raptors.#NBA | #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/RlHL8a76PJ
— Basketball Reference (@bball_ref) January 12, 2024
Barrett was the No. 3 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and Knicks fans were very disappointed that their team didn’t win the No. 1 pick and the right to use it on Duke University star Zion Williamson.
While Barrett has had plenty of potential, he never shot a consistently high percentage in four seasons and change in New York.
While Toronto has won only three of their six games with Barrett, he has given them a boost offensively that they needed but weren’t getting.
Ideally, a trade should help both teams involved, and it appears this could be one of those deals, as Anunoby is the two-way wing that the Knicks have lacked, while Quickley has also put up very good numbers since relocating to Canada.
The Raptors will head to Manhattan to take on the Knicks on January 20, which will give all players involved in the trade a chance to square off against their old teammates.
NEXT:
Steve Kerr Announces ‘Huge Loss’ For The Warriors