Knicks trading Barrett to Raptors for Anunoby

NEW YORK — The New York Knicks are trading RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to the Toronto Raptors and getting back OG Anunoby, a person with knowledge of the deal said Saturday.

The Knicks also will acquire Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn, the person told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because the trade is not yet official.

The trade was first reported by ESPN.

The Knicks are giving up two of their top offensive players in Barrett, a starting forward, and Quickley, one of the NBA’s top reserves. But the deal should provide a needed boost to their defense, with Anunoby leading the league in steals last season.

The deal comes four months after the Knicks filed a lawsuit against the Raptors, alleging they had conspired to steal thousands of videos and other scouting secrets after hiring a former Knicks scouting employee.

The deal, which sends

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press The Knicks are acquiring OG Anunoby in a trade with the Raptors.

Barrett to his hometown, left both teams shorthanded for their games Saturday night. The Raptors were in Detroit, where the Pistons were trying to avoid an NBArecord 29th consecutive loss, while the Knicks were in Indiana.

Anunoby figures to step right into Barrett’s spot in the Knicks’ starting lineup. The 6-foot-7 swingman is averaging 15.1 points and had his highest-scoring game of the season when the Raptors visited the Knicks on Dec. 11, scoring 29 points.

Barrett averages 18.2 points but has struggled

lately with his outside shot, going 2 for 12 from 3point range over the last two games. The No. 3 pick in the 2019 draft helped the Knicks reach the playoffs twice in the last three seasons after missing them the previous seven.

Quickley was the runner-up for the Sixth Man of the Year award last season, but there has been speculation he could be moved since the Knicks declined to give him a contract extension before this season. They will have to replace his 15 points per game off the bench and ability to play both guard positions.