3 reasons the Raptors fleeced the Knicks in stunning OG Anunoby deal

The Toronto Raptors, against all odds, fired the first salvo in what should be a very noisy NBA trade season, as they sent beloved franchise legend OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Malachi Flynn to the rival New York Knicks for dynamic young guard Immanuel Quickley and former top pick RJ Barrett.

The Knicks got the best individual player in the trade, which is an easy way for Knicks fans to assert they got the better end of this swap. However, the Raptors and their fans have to be thrilled about the return they got for a player who had some question marks around him.

The Raptors made out well, as they traded an expiring contract that will eventually cost a fortune and two bench players that had frustrated fans for years to New York for two young, controllable players regarded as terrific scorers. Darko Rajakovic needed these two sparkplugs.

The Raptors had a tough day on Saturday, as they sent away a beloved figure and lost to the lowly Pistons. However, there is reason to be very excited about what this team can do in the future now that these two standout youngsters are officially on their way to Toronto.

3 reasons the Toronto Raptors won the OG Anunoby trade with Knicks.

1. Adding a better scorer for cheaper

While Barrett is the bigger name of the two newest Raptors, Quickley might be the one that has the most immediate impact on the offense. After scoring 15.0 points per game in a very limited role under Tom Thibodeau, an unleashed Quickley might be ready to shine in Toronto.

Quickley averaged 22.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game as a starter last season. Even if he doesn't end up hitting those lofty heights consistently, Quickley should be able to exceed the production he was putting up with a Knicks team that didn't let him take off.

Immanuel Quickley could become a solid scorer for the Toronto Raptors.

For all of Anunoby's many strengths, creating shots for himself was not one of them. His main offensive trait is shooting from 3-point range, something Quickley is going at a clip of just under 40% this season. Quickley may be a better fit in an offense that passes the ball as much as possible.

While OG will deservedly get a max contract or something very close to it, Quickley's deal will at minimum be $10 million cheaper every season. Getting someone with his ceiling for less money next to Scottie Barnes has to make the Raptors giddy at the thought of the possibilities these two will bring.