The NBA's trade season has begun, and teams are making important decisions about their futures. One of the most high-profile deals was the big swap between the New York Knicks and the Toronto Raptors.
In the early morning of the 31st, according to a report by well-known reporter Woshen, sources revealed that the Raptors and the Knicks basically reached a deal. Specifically, the Raptors sent OG-Anunoby, Achiuwa and Flynn to the Knicks in exchange for Barrett, Quickley and a 2024 second-round pick (from the Pistons).
The deal involved key players from both teams and could have changed their season-changing fortunes. So, what's the inside story of this deal? Let's unveil it!
Knicks: Usher in an all-round offensive and defensive warrior to solve the offensive dilemma
The Knicks haven't had a great season and their offensive end has been their soft underbelly. RJ Barrett was a sight to behold at the start of the season, however, as time went on, he seemed to be back into the same inefficiency as his career had been. Despite his average points per game, his shooting percentage continues to be sluggish.
His partner, Emmanuel Quickley, was able to provide firepower from the bench, but his playing time and touches were limited by manager Tom Thibodeau, which affected his performance. And such an adjustment undoubtedly makes the Knicks' offense even more stretched.
To solve this problem, the Knicks decided to trade Barrett and Quickley for Raptors' two-way star O.G. Anunoby. Anunoby is a player who can excel on both ends of the floor, not only shooting from the perimeter, but also putting opponents under tremendous pressure on the defensive end. His arrival not only brings more offensive firepower to the team, but also improves the overall strength of the team on the defensive end.
Anunoby is adept at opening up space while scoring efficiently on a limited number of shots. He is also very good defensively, which will make him a fish in water in Thibodeau's tactical system. His arrival undoubtedly brings new hope to the Knicks, and he will form a strong lineup with Randle and Brunson to make the Knicks' offensive end more fluid and diverse.
For the Knicks, their performance on the defensive end and three-point shooting has been unsatisfactory. The addition of Anunoby is expected to bring significant improvements to the team in both areas. His defensive ability and outside shooting will help the Knicks be more balanced on both ends of the floor.
Of course, it wasn't easy to get a player like Anunoby, and the Knicks paid a big price. Not only did they send Barrett and Quickley, but they also attached a second-round pick.
Moreover, it comes at a great cost to keep a player like Anunoby. But considering that the Knicks have previously reserved generous salary space for Barrett and Quickley's contract is about to expire, the team actually still has some flexibility in terms of salary. So, while Anunoby's future contract could be very expensive, the Knicks still have the ability to offer him a contract that matches his value.
In short, the Knicks brought new energy and hope to the team by bringing in Anunoby. His offensive and defensive abilities and outstanding performances will allow him to play an important role in the team and help the Knicks achieve better results in future games.
Raptors: Rebuilding the core, Barrett and Quickley join Barnes
The Raptors haven't been as good this season as they are, and their roster has been in turmoil. The contract issues of their two stars, Pascal Siakam and Anunoby, have been plaguing the team, and their roles and status are hard to compare to the glory of the Raptors' championship-winning days in 2019.
To address this, the Raptors tweaked their roster through trades, bringing in 23-year-old Barrett and 24-year-old Quickley to build a new core with young cornerstone player Scott Barnes. This move shows the clear and decisive direction of the team's general manager, Marseille Ujiri, and his team.
Barrett is a player with a lot of potential, and he was hailed as the next LeBron James in college. While his performance in the NBA hasn't lived up to expectations, his talent and hard work are unquestionable. His addition breathes new life into the Raptors, and he will be the future of the team along with Barnes.
At the same time, Barrett's progress in scoring and playmaking has opened up more options for the team, and Barrett is expected to be an important part of the team's offensive end by improving his individual offensive efficiency through running off the ball and receiving.
Quickley, on the other hand, had a chance to be a regular starter, a role he's been longing for years. His past performances have proven that he has excellent scoring, rebounding and assisting abilities, and he will hopefully bring more sparks to the team in the starting lineup. His contract is also expiring and is expected to be a hot spot in the offseason restricted free agent market. The Raptors are expected to offer him a suitable contract that would allow him to become a long-term member of the team.
For the Raptors, this trade not only solves Anunoby's contract issues, but also injects young blood and potential into the team. The additions of Barrett and Quickley give the Raptors new hope as they build the team's future with Barnes and try to get better in the game.
In short, the Raptors have reshaped the core of the team by bringing in Barrett and Quickley, and made clear the direction of the future direction. Fans have reason to expect even more from this young and promising team in the coming competitions.
#2023年度创作挑战#