Barrett and Quickley Start, Score For Raptors in 1st Game After Knicks Trade
So far, so good.
The New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors are each no doubt satisfied with the immediate aftermath of Saturday's trade headlined by the involvement of OG Anunoby, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley. All three made their respective debuts in their new uniforms on, appropriately enough, New Year's Day.
Hours after Anunoby's defensive prowess came up big in the Knicks' 112-106 win over the Western-leading Minnesota Timberwolves, Barrett and Quickley each repped the Raptors in the starting lineup for their nightcap against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The transplanted Manhattan duo united for 33 points and 15 rebounds en route to Toronto's 124-121 victory.
Barrett and Quickley introduced themselves to Scotiabank Arena in style: the latter scored Toronto's first points of the game on a three-pointer from the hands of Barrett. Former teammate Julius Randle was among those watching, sharing a photo of partaking on his Instagram story, rooting for "lil bros" Barrett and Quickley.
"I see that Canadians are really excited about (the trade)," Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic said in the aftermath, per The Canadian Press. "All of that together brought a lot of energy and juice to Scotiabank. It was a fun night."
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Saturday proved to be a victorious homecoming for Barrett, an Ontario native who garnered a warm reception from Raptor fans upon his entrance.
Though he repped a division rival over the past four-plus seasons, Barrett has gained a spot in the hearts of Canadian basketball fans for his work from last summer's FIBA Basketball World Cup. The former New Yorker is one of the headliners of Canada's men's national team, one that clinched both a bronze medal finish and a berth in the upcoming Summer Olympic tournament in Paris, the squad's first since 2000.
A change of scenery could prove beneficial to Barrett, the third overall pick from 2019's draft that struggled to put up lasting consistency in New York. Coming home to Ontario (born in Toronto and raised in Mississauga) will at least make things easier, especially with Barrett having grown up rooting for the Raptors (13-20).
“Who doesn't want to come home? Who doesn't want to come home and play in front of family and friends and try to get a team that I've always loved so much back to where they were in 2019?” Barrett rhetorically asked before tipoff, per Aaron Rose of All Raptors. “Immediately I was happy. I grew up a Raptors fan all my life. So to come here and put this jersey on, this is going be great.”
With Barrett working on the first year of a contract extension that kicked in this year, he figures to be a major part of Toronto's jump back into NBA relevancy. The team has struggled since its Kawhi Leonard-led championship run in 2019 and currently sits 1.5 games behind Chicago for the fourth and final Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament spot. Monday's win was its first game back after dropping a Saturday tilt against the Detroit Pistons, ending the Motor City's historic 28-game losing streak.
Barrett helped the Raptors get back on track: in 29 minutes, Barrett scored 19 points and pulled in nine rebounds while hitting 6-of-12 from the field (his first game at at least 50 percent since the Knicks' Dec. 15's win in Phoenix).
National endeavors should allow Raptors fans to be patient with Barrett, who will also help to acclimate Quickley to new surroundings. Quickley was grateful that, if he had to be moved, he was at least transferred with a familiar face.
“As soon as we got the word (of the trade,) he told me anything I need, to hit him up,” Quickley said, per John Chidley-Hill of Global News. “When I got to New York, RJ was one of the first guys that I got close with and then playing against him, USA versus Canada, has always been cool. Just having a brother like RJ is great.”
General metropolitan perception has primarily rued the loss of Quickley, one of the most potent reserve sparks in recent Knicks memory. Those clamoring to see Quickley used in the starting lineup got their wish on Monday, albeit in a Toronto uniform. The most recent Sixth Man of the Year runner-up struggled from the field (5-of-13) but scored 14 points, rebounded six, and stole two. Toronto was a plus-7 on the scoreboard during his 28 minutes.
Barrett and Quickley have one more visit lined up at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 20. In the meantime, a six-game road trip tips off in Memphis on Wednesday night (8 p.m. ET, Sportsnet).
