RJ Barrett couldn’t be happier for the New York Knicks for qualifying for the 2024 NBA playoffs as the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
During his exit interview for the 2023-24 season, the Toronto Raptors swingman was asked why his former team is doing well, and RJ Barrett pointed to OG Anunoby as a huge reason why.
“Everyone here has gotten used to watching OG play defense,” Barrett said about Anunoby via Forbes. “And while I’m not that, he’s one of the best defenders I’ve ever seen. I want to get better on that side and show myself what I can do.”
Earlier this season, the New York Knicks and the Toronto Raptors completed a trade that saw the former acquire OG Anunoby, Malachi Flynn, and Precious Achiuwa, and the latter getting RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and a second-round draft pick.
The OG Anunoby effect for the New York Knicks
The New York Knicks needed an elite perimeter defender, so they went out and got OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors, and so far, the deal has paid off.
With OG Anunoby in the lineup, the New York Knicks were 20-3. During that stretch, the one-time NBA champion averaged 14.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game and never had a single game with a negative plus-minus, highlighting his positive impact on the team.
Since OG Anunoby’s first game with the team to the end of the 2023-24 regular season, the New York Knicks posted a 110.3 defensive rating, which is third in the NBA in that span, although it should be noted that he missed 27 games due to injuries.
OG Anunoby is set to hit free agency after this season since he’s expected to decline his $19.9 million player option for 2024-25, and how far they’ll go in this year’s playoffs will help determine whether he stays in the Big Apple in the long run or not.
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