GOOD NEWS: Raptors Considering signing super star player from New York Knicks

RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley didn’t have to wait long to return to Madison Square Garden,

this time with the Toronto Raptors, seeking closure on their stints with the New York Knicks.

The impact of the trade that sent them to the Raptors, and its role in transforming the Knicks into a legitimate NBA title contender, remains to be seen.

The Knicks have shown promising early returns on the trade, marked by their successful January surge.

Winning eight of their last ten games, they have showcased a defensive improvement, particularly since the activation of OG Anunoby in the trade.

Anunoby’s contributions, averaging 15

0 points per game and excelling on the defensive end, have played a crucial role in holding opponents to an average of 101 points per game over the last 10 matches, making the Knicks the best defensive team in the NBA during this period.

Fred VanVleet, who played with Anunoby in Toronto, praised the trade as “absolutely perfect” for the Knicks, emphasizing Anunoby’s floor-spacing ability and elite defensive skills.

Barrett and Quickley, integral parts of the Knicks’ recent successes, were surprised by the trade, which occurred while they were with the team in Indiana preparing for a game.

The move, described by Quickley as the “business of basket

Quickley, now in the starting lineup for the Raptors, is averaging 18 .0 points per game.

Meanwhile, Barrett, a Toronto native, has found success with the Raptors, averaging 20.2 points per game and displaying improved shooting percentages compared to his time with the Knicks.

Reflecting on the trade, Barrett acknowledged the bittersweet nature of leaving New York, which had become home for him over the past four-and-a-half years. Despite the challenges, the trade has brought success for both the players and their former team, leaving the future for both the Knicks and the traded players intriguing and uncertain.