The New York Knicks TRADED their star small forward AND their runner up sixth man of the year?

By Kayden Martinez  

Christmas Day basketball could make or break your holiday season. That is only if you really love basketball and you are committed to your team. Fortunately, on Christmas Day 2023, New York Knicks fans had a Christmas miracle. The Knicks faced the second-best team in the East: the Milwaukee Bucks. They came through with the win. Jalen Brunson, the star point guard for the Knicks scored 38 points, and 6 assists. Julius Randle, starting power forward, with 24 points, and 9 rebounds. Isaiah Hartenstein, starting center, with 11 points, 1 block, and 4 assists. RJ Barrett, starting small forward, with 21 points, and 6 rebounds. Immanuel Quickley, backup point guard as well as runner-up sixth man of the year last season, with 20 points. Even though the New York Knicks played incredibly well,  Knicks fans had no clue how soon they’d stop celebrating.

On December 30th, 2023, after an incredible Knicks Christmas win in the world's most famous arena, Madison Square Garden, New York Knicks fans everywhere were brought shocking news by the Knicks front office. Knicks starting small forward and runner-up sixth man of the 2022-2023 season, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley were being traded to the Toronto Raptors. Rumors started in the morning, but Knicks fans thought nothing of it. Oftentimes, fan pages are posted about possible trades, mock trades, etc. But as the day went on, people’s suspicions were slowly becoming a reality. Soon enough, the Knicks front office confirmed the trade. 

The Toronto Raptors traded OG Anunobody,  precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn to the Knicks for Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barret, and a second-round draft pick. They’d spent the start of their careers playing for the franchise.  In a recent article released on January 11th by The Players’ Tribune called Dear New York, Immanuel Quickley expresses his gratitude for the team that made him the player he is today. “It's funny thinking about the little ‘New York’ things that just become a part of your normal,” Quickely stated in the article, “I got so used to seeing Spike (Lee), one of the last games I played with the team versus Brooklyn I hit back-to-back threes, fell on the ground, and without even thinking I just go up to Spike, dap him up and hug him… And at the time, it was just regular. Now, it means even more. That stuff I’ll remember forever.” Quickley then talks about what an impact everyone in the franchise has had on him. 

RJ Barrett, on the other hand, felt pretty happy about the trade. “Initial reaction was like what's going on? I just woke up to it…coming home I was immediately happy.” Barrett said during the press conference after his first game with the Raptors. He was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, so during his first Raptors game, the arena gave him a big standing ovation. 

While the players were in shock, so was the rest of the world. Stephan A. Smith, a popular television sports personality, shared his opinion on the trade on ESPN; “I am not moved.” he started, “This kid (Quickley) is special. This brother can ball…it doesn’t improve their chances”. Mitchell Robinson, Knicks center, was asked how he felt about the trade on his Snapchat, “I don’t know how to feel…Of course, nobody wants to see their family leave.” Neither Robinson nor Smith was happy about the trade. During a press conference, Pascal Siakam was asked how he felt about the trade; “ It's a difficult day…I hope incredible things happen to him (OG Anunoby)”. Clearly, we see a pattern: all of these players had a major impact on their teams. Now both Raptor and Knicks fans are hoping these new players make a future impact for the better.  

On New Year's Day, both the Raptors and the Knicks play. This is the day we get to see how the new teams perform. The first game happening would be the New York Knicks against the number one team in the west: the Minnesota Timberwolves. Julius Randle with a whopping 39 points and 9 rebounds. Jalen Brunson with 16 points, 14 assists, and 1 steal. OG Anunoby didn’t disappoint Knicks fans. He had 17 points, 2 steals, and 6 rebounds. The Knicks ended up winning the game. In fact, they ended up winning the next five games. It's safe to say OG Anunoby has been a pretty good fit for the Knicks so far.

 Later that day, the Toronto Raptors would be hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Scotiabank Arena. During this time, Quickley and Barrett are both feeling overwhelmed in the last few days. But no matter how they felt, they had to perform well for their new team. And that they did. Quickley with 14 points, and 6 rebounds. Barrett with 19 points and 9 rebounds. Pascal Siakam, (at the time) Raptors starting power forward, with 36 points. The Raptors beat the Cavaliers, 124-121. 

At the time this is being written, the Knicks record since they acquired Anunoby, Achiuwa, and Flynn is 7-2. However, the Raptors record so far is 3-5. OG Anunoby seems to be fitting into his new team well. He plays well both defensively, and offensively, and is a great team player. Though this trade was sudden, basketball fans everywhere still have one big question; will there be another major trade?