Improved RJ Barrett has put stamp on Raptors-Knicks trade

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The New York Knicks arrived in Toronto for a game on Monday and the anniversaries of two of the biggest trades in the history of the Toronto Raptors franchise will arrive later this month.

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Dec. 17 will be 20 years since the disastrous Vince Carter giveaway to the New Jersey Nets.

Another momentous swap with a similarly-located team, this time a far more even one, happened one year ago Dec. 30. That pre-New Year’s stunner brought RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to Toronto, with OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa and, briefly, Malachi Flynn off to the New York Knicks.

The thinking at the time was that while it was a neat story that Barrett would be coming home, Quickley was the key for the Raptors. It wasn’t that the former No. 3 overall draft pick Barrett wasn’t a productive NBA player or that he didn’t have some untapped potential, but rather that Quickley, a sixth man of the year runner-up as a Knicks combo guard, was poised for a breakout as a starting point guard.

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While that could still happen, Quickley looked awfully intriguing in his 38 games as a Raptor post-trade after all, he’s only been able to appear in three games this season.

Meanwhile, Barrett has emerged as the early headliner in Toronto by playing the best basketball of his career to end the 2023-24 season, before getting even better this season to the point he’s garnering most improved player consideration. Barrett is averaging career-highs in points (23.3), rebounds (6.6), assists (5.9), steals (0.8), and three-point makes (2.0), and his assist percentage is up about 50% while his turnovers have remained mostly stable. He has been one of the best finishers in basketball, too, and also one of the premier players in home games, averaging 27.7 points at Scotiabank Arena prior to Monday. That’s why his name is creating a buzz.

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“Deservedly so, he’s been amazing and he’s expanded his game,” Barrett’s long-time teammate on the Canadian national team, and now the Raptors, Kelly Olynyk told Postmedia recently. “He’s shooting the ball really well, he’s making a lot of plays for other people, scoring on all three levels. Super efficient. You know, when the ball’s in his hand, something good’s gonna happen,” Olynyk said.

There used to be a book on Barrett that opponents could use to throw him off, but as Olynyk says, things have changed.

“It used to be, just take away his left hand, make him shoot. And now you can’t say that,” said the veteran. And so that’s a kudos to him. And, the development he’s put in, and just how confident he’s playing right now on both ends of the floor.”

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Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau offered similar praise before Monday’s game, noting to get good players you have to give good ones up.

“I think the best thing about young players is the ability to continue to improve,” Thibodeau said. “And I think there’s been steady progress throughout his career, and I think as he’s gained experience, he’s added things,” Thibodeau said of Barrett. “We always felt he was going to be a good player. He was a good player for us, and he continues to improve, and that’s a credit to him, and the way he works.”

It looked like Barrett had circled the date for Monday’s game, the first between the Raptors and Knicks this season and just the second meeting since the trade (Barrett had scored 20 last year in a loss at New York). He scored eight quick points, hitting a pair of three-pointers in the first quarter and had 17 on 7-for-9 shooting by halftime. He finished with a game-high 30, including a tough drive that tied the game at 108 inside of the final minute and helped atone for a couple of late mistakes that could have cost the Raptors.

The Raptors needed everything Barrett could provide with Scottie Barnes out for the final 1.5 quarters of the game due to a right ankle injury. They’ll need even more if Barnes has to miss any games.

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