The Knicks own the rights to the player in a blockbuster trade with the Raptors last December.
And now the Raptors have both returners under contract for at least the next three years.
Immanuel Quickley is set to sign a five-year, $175 million contract with Toronto. According to ESPN:.
RJ Barrett, the other player traded to the Raptors in exchange for OG Anunoby, is already under contract for the next three seasons.
The Knicks-Raptors trade appears to be a win-win for both teams, as they add better-fit players to their rosters and sign new assets in the near future.
Rebuilding Toronto knew it would be tough to retain Anunoby in free agency, and he was more of a luxury than a necessity for a team in transition.
His injury history also hurts a team lacking star players.
So the Raptors sent him to the Knicks in exchange for two starters and Barrett, who is under contract through the 2026-27 season, and Quickley, who would have become a restricted free agent without a new contract.
Quickley, the 2023 Sixth Man of the Year award winner, averaged 18.6 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists as a starter in 38 games with the Raptors.
With the Knicks, he averaged just 12.9 points per game in 24.1 minutes despite playing 33.3 minutes.
Barrett also increased his scoring average from 18.1 to 21.8 points in Toronto, where he faced less competition for touches.
Despite the duo’s performances, the Raptors finished 25-57 and in 12th place in the Eastern Conference.
The Raptors began their rebuild by acquiring four players in the 2024 draft, including Baylor University star Jacob Walters (19th pick) and University of Houston star guard Jamal Sheed (45th pick).
Toronto got a good deal out of the trade, and the Knicks are happy with how it ended.
Anunoby has thrived in his role with the Knicks and is expected to officially sign a five-year, $212.5 million contract extension soon that would make the Knicks a legitimate threat to the Celtics.
