A BRAND NEW WORLD
Barrett, Quickley reflect ahead of first game against Knicks since trade to Raptors
RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley were asleep when the news broke — the news that would turn their worlds upside-down.
In the middle of the night, the Knicks traded Barrett and Quickley to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn.
The ex-Knicks recounted the moment ahead of tipoff on Saturday in their first game at Madison Square Garden as opponents since the Dec. 30 deal.
“Once I woke up, your whole life changes,” Quickley said at the National Basketball Player’s Association office in midtown Saturday morning. “Everything you know to be normal changes. Obviously difficult from that standpoint, but I know it’s a business.”
“I just woke up and I was traded,” Barrett added.
The Knicks were playing poor defensively, so a deal was expected. Even more so for Quickley, who declined a contract extension offer reported to be in the ballpark of an $18 million average annual value ahead of this season.
Did he know that by declining that offer and betting on himself, he was more likely to wind up out of New York?
“I didn’t decide to bet on myself. That’s what God told me to do. I prayed about it and that’s what God told me to do,” Quickley said. “All my decisions, that’s how I make them. I just didn’t decide myself. It was much more than just myself, but really just letting God lead and guide me, I think that’s been my mantra my whole life in terms of my basketball career. And I’ll continue to do that.”
Clear-cut upgrades don’t come come cheap — and the Knicks didn’t want to pay the tab with first-round picks.
They chose instead to part ways with the two-best players they’ve drafted in the last five years. The Knicks took Barrett third overall in 2019 and Quickley with pick No. 25 the following year.
Both hold their heads high knowing they played an integral role in helping the Knicks end the seven-year playoff drought that followed the Carmelo Anthony era in New York.
“Look at where they are. We built something. You’re a part of something, getting back to the playoffs after a long drought,” Barrett said. “Then not making it, making it again, winning a playoff series. Those experiences with those people over there, coming in at 19, leaving at 23, they definitely helped me grow up. I’ll never forget New York. I’ll never forget the place.”
The Knicks want more than just the playoffs. They want more than just the second round. It’s why they shook the roster up and are expected to continue making deals both by the Feb. 8 NBA trade deadline and once the offseason rolls around.
Acquiring Anunoby was the first step. He leads the NBA in total plus-minus and net rating since his trade to the Knicks. New York is a better team with Anunoby — and the Raptors have more direction after moving both Anunoby and All-Star forward Pascal Siakam.
Toronto landed two talented players under the age of 25: Barrett, the hometown kid as a Canada native, and Quickley, who is averaging a career-high 18 points per game to kickoff his Raptors career.
Both fit Scottie Barnes’ timeline, too, and Barnes is the franchise cornerstone Toronto is rebuilding around.
Fans, media and executives alike have lauded the deal a winwin for both teams.
“I look at it as a business perspective at first: both teams did what they wanted to do. I’m
glad to be here in Toronto,” said Quickley. “Had a great time in New York. I’m happy to be here with an organization that obviously wants me to be here. I’m here to get wins for the organization and get better on and off the floor.”
And now comes the tough part: playing against their former teammates, against a coach in Tom Thibodeau who knows their every move.
The Knicks have won eight of the 10 games they’ve played since trading for Anunoby. The Raptors entered Saturday’s matchup 4-6 since acquiring Barrett and Quickley and were heavy underdogs against a rolling Knicks team.
“I’m sure I’ll get blitzed in pick-and-rolls and on dribble hand-offs,” Quickley said with a laugh. “But nah, Thibs is my guy. He’s always in the lab, so I’m sure he’ll be ready for us.
“They’re a good team. They play hard, play tough, play together, Julius and Jalen have been dominant offensively all year. And they have some good defensive players as well. So it’ll be a challenge for sure.”
Barrett pointed out Julius Randle had been his teammate his entire career prior to the trade.
“It’s gonna be really interesting,” he said. “I’ve played against some of the guys that are on the team now, but like I’ve never played against Julius in a game. So that’s gonna cool for me.”
There’s also the Quickley dynamic with Jalen Brunson, who the Knicks signed at the point guard spot two summers ago. Brunson is poised to make his first All-Star appearance this season averaging 26.3 points and 6.5 assists per game this season.
Quickley quickly shot down the notion he’d be hunting the matchup against his former teammate.
“It’s still basketball. It’s still five-on-five at the end of the day. It’s not just me versus Jalen,” he said. “But it’ll be good to go up against somebody that’s showed me a lot. And I feel like I showed him a lot as well when he got here. It’ll be a good matchup.”
Barrett, however, is hunting for his first victory against the Knicks.
“Anyone can be beat,” he said. “Just gotta go in there, stick to game plan, play hard and just compete.”
Both of the former Knicks, of course, are anxious for their reception in their return to The Garden.
After five years of representing the Knicks, Barrett steps back onto the MSG floors as an opponent for the first time.
“The fans are sold out every night. It’s like a show: The Garden,” he said. “All the lights and everything that goes on. So I was always appreciative of that. I always loved playing in The Garden. So now to be a visitor, I’m excited to see what that’s like.”
The former No. 3 pick seemed unsure of whether he’d get a rousing ovation.
“It’d be nice, but I’m trying to focus on the game as much as I can,” he said. “Loved the New York fans from Day 1, I still do. But whatever happens at The Garden, I appreciate them regardless.”
Quickley said he might get emotional in his return to where it all started.
“I don’t cry during movies, so, I’ll probably say [I won’t cry] that much,” he said. “Imma try not to cry, but it’ll be a good one for sure.”
And while Quickley poured his emotions onto paper in a heartfelt thank-you message to New York through the Player’s Tribune, Barrett said his message is coming after Saturday’s showdown.
“Absolutely. I’ll post it tomorrow,” he said. “I’ve been waiting for this game.”