One Year Later: Assessing the Impact of the Raptors-Knicks Blockbuster Trade
The NBA landscape shifted dramatically a year ago when the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks engaged in a blockbuster trade that sent shockwaves through the league. The deal, finalized amidst ongoing legal disputes between the two franchises, marked a significant turning point for both teams, signaling a rebuild for Toronto and a potential shift in strategy for New York.
The trade involved four key players: OG Anunoby and Precious achiuwa headed to New York, while Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett moved to Toronto. The immediate reaction was one of uncertainty, even among the players themselves. “Honestly,when I first got traded,I didn’t know if it was going to be the right fit.I didn’t know if it was the best situation for me,” admitted Quickley. ”Realizing that change is good has helped me out a lot as far as where I want to go in my career,what I want to do,how I want to impact peopel,and how I want to change people’s lives. I think this trade has been good for me.”
For toronto, the trade, followed swiftly by Pascal Siakam’s departure to the Indiana Pacers, signaled the dismantling of their 2019 championship core. Anunoby,a key component of that title run,was a significant loss. The Knicks, simultaneously occurring, had invested heavily in Barrett, selecting him third overall in the 2019 draft.
The trade also represented a philosophical shift for the Raptors. Previously known for drafting athletic wings, the acquisition of Quickley and Barrett, primarily guards, indicated a change in their team-building approach. “They were really good on defense and I think we just bring something different offensively, shooting a three ball, attacking the rim, pace, kind of where the NBA is going and how you have to be effective,” Quickley explained. “Defense is a big part of that, and we’re going to continue to push, make strides on the defensive end. That’s how you win games.But I think offensively, we just add something a little different.”
Comparing the four players directly is challenging due to their contrasting playing styles and injury issues since the trade. However, the numbers tell a compelling story. since the start of the 2023-24 season, barrett has averaged 21.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.6 steals,and 0.4 blocks across 84 games, on pace for career highs in all categories. Quickley, now a starting point guard for Toronto, has averaged 16.9 points, 4.8 assists, 3.7 rebounds,0.7 steals, and 0.1 blocks over the same period, starting all 41 games he’s played.
the long-term effects of this trade remain to be seen. However, one year on, it’s clear that the Raptors-Knicks blockbuster has considerably altered the trajectory of both franchises, prompting a fascinating case study in NBA team-building and player development.
Knicks-Raptors Trade: Who Really Won? A Win share Analysis
The recent blockbuster trade between the New York knicks and Toronto Raptors sent shockwaves through the NBA. While the immediate reaction focused on the players involved – OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa heading to New York, and RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley joining Toronto – a deeper analysis using win shares reveals a more nuanced picture of who ultimately benefited from the deal.
Toronto raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic highlighted the strategic fit of the new acquisitions: “The direction we are taking and how we want to develop our team, I think it was very critically important for us to have RJ, who is a really good scorer, he fits in with his age group as well, we have a young core.That’s pretty much the same with Immanuel Quickley. I think both of those guys are a really good fit with our team, they fit in what we’re doing in the court, the strategic long plan. We like our guys.”
The Knicks’ perspective, as shared by head coach Tom Thibodeau, emphasized the versatility gained in the trade: “Just different skill sets. I thought RJ and Quick added a lot to our team, OG was different, so his versatility and size were something that we were looking for. You have to give good players up and so I think it was a good deal for both teams.”
But beyond the immediate roster impact, win shares – a complete statistic encompassing offensive and defensive contributions – offer a more complete evaluation. Last season’s NBA MVP, Nikola Jokic, led the league with 17.0 win shares, providing a benchmark for comparison. Currently, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads with 6.2 win shares.
Analyzing the players involved, Anunoby boasts a 2.6 win share for the Knicks this season, a significant improvement from his 1.6 last year. Achiuwa, however, sits at 0.5 win shares after a pre-season hamstring injury sidelined him. He commented on his recovery and team goals: “The more games I play, the more comfortable I get. As I recover, our goal as a team is to have the best offence in the NBA. So our goal is just to continue to improve (any) way that we can.”
On the Toronto side, barrett contributed 1.2 win shares this season,while Quickley,hampered by a right pelvic contusion and a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament,has only managed 0.1 win shares over three games. Quickley’s remarkable 2.5 win shares last season, however, highlight his potential.
Considering the cumulative win shares, the Anunoby/achiuwa pairing currently holds a slight edge for the Knicks (3.1 combined win shares this season). Coupled with the Knicks’ superior 22-10 record, the initial assessment suggests a potential advantage for New York. However, the season is still young, and the long-term impact of this trade remains to be seen.
The success of this trade will ultimately depend on the players’ continued development and their integration into their new teams. While win shares provide a valuable analytical tool, the true winner might only be resolute at season’s end.
Raptors’ Trade: A Winning Play or Missed Possibility?
The Toronto Raptors’ decision to trade Jalen Flynn to the Detroit Pistons in February 2023 for a second-round pick continues to spark debate among NBA analysts. While the immediate return seemed modest, the long-term implications are far from clear.The trade yielded Jonathan Mogbo, a power forward/center, who the Raptors selected 31st overall in the subsequent draft.
Mogbo’s rookie season has offered a mixed bag. He’s averaging 5.5 points, 4.6 rebounds,1.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks over 31 games, starting in six. His contribution,measured by a 1.0 win share, adds to the Raptors’ overall return from the trade, bringing their total win share to 2.3 this season. This is a significant factor in evaluating the deal’s success.
However, the picture isn’t complete without considering Flynn’s trajectory since the trade. Sent to the Austin Spurs, the G-League affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs, Flynn’s performance hasn’t matched the initial expectations some had for him in Toronto. This raises questions about whether the Raptors made the right call in letting him go.
The trade’s success hinges on mogbo’s future development. While his rookie statistics are promising, they don’t fully capture his potential. The Raptors are betting on his long-term growth, hoping he’ll become a valuable asset to the team. Only time will tell if this gamble pays off.
“There is one more factor to consider, though,” says one NBA analyst, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding Mogbo’s future. The Raptors’ front office clearly saw something in mogbo that warranted the trade, but the true measure of its success remains years away.
Ultimately,the Raptors’ trade of Jalen flynn for Jonathan Mogbo is a complex evaluation. While Mogbo’s early contributions are positive, the long-term impact remains uncertain. The team’s decision will be judged not only on Mogbo’s immediate performance but also on his potential for future growth within the Raptors organization. The next few seasons will be crucial in determining whether this trade was a shrewd move or a missed opportunity.
