O.G. Anunoby is an Englishman in New York - and he might just take the Knicks to the next level

Written by Lachlan Sherriff

With the Knicks currently sitting seventh in the East with a 17-14 record, the front office at MSG decided to make a trade to take the Knicks to higher levels.

This trade ended up being made with conference rivals Toronto Raptors, who gave the Knicks 6'7 G/F O.G. Anunoby, in exchange for a pair of guards in R.J. Barrett and Immanuel Quickley.

Obviously, the Knicks had to give up a bit to get this deal through. Barrett started 26 times for New York this season, and was averaging 18.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 42.3% shooting. The Knicks also lose a valuable bench option in Immanuel Quickley, who was averaging fifteen points off the bench.

But the trade makes sense for New York, mainly from a defensive standpoint. The Knicks have a mediocre defensive rating of 114.8 this season, and no player in New York is averaging a higher defensive rating then the league average of 110.6. The only two who even get close are big men in Mitchell Robinson, who's now out injured for the season, and Isaiah Hartenstein.

Throw in the fact that Jalen Brunson and Barrett are both below average defenders, and it was clear something had to give.

While Anunoby's defensive rating this season doesn't look impressive at 117.3, it is important to remember that the Raptors aren't having a very good season. Instead, Anunoby's career defensive rating of 110.2 shows what a good defender he is. He had a defensive rating of 108.8 in the year Toronto won the championship, and he improved on it the next season, having a career high 104.3 DRTG in 2019-20.

Anunoby isn't a scrub on the offensive end either. This season he's averaged 15.1 points on better shooting numbers then both Barrett and Quickley. Anunoby's career high in points was back in 2021-22, when he averaged 17.1 points for a Raptors team that made the playoffs. And while he's never shot over 40% from three over a season, he has gotten close, and perhaps a new change in scenery will help him take the next step in his game and develop into a consistent three point shooter.

The best part about Anunoby is how he'll fit into New York's system. Anunoby will take Barrett's spot as the starting small forward, but unlike Barrett, he doesn't need the ball in his hands. This allows Brunson and Julius Randle to play a consistent one-two game. And if Anunoby does get the ball for an open look in the corner or the wing, you'd expect him to hit it.

With Anunoby being 6'7 with a 7'1 wingspan, him being able to guard shooting guards and small forwards is a blessing, and one that might come in handy come playoff time.

The Knicks end a three game road trip against the Pacers tonight. They'll then start the new year with two home games against the Timberwolves and the Bulls, with Anunoby expected to make his debut in one of them.