INDIANAPOLIS — The Knicks expressed mixed feelings about breaking up their core to swing a major trade.
Sad to see rotation staples RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley go, but eager to see how newly acquired wing OG Anunoby will fit in, two veteran players offered a range of emotions about the trade the Knicks pulled off Saturday with the Raptors.
“For trades, it’s always tough,” Josh Hart, who was acquired from Portland at last season’s deadline, said before Saturday’s game against the Pacers. “Obviously, when you start playing with guys and you kind of ‘battle’ with guys, you start having a bond and you grow with those guys and that’s always tough to see guys leave, especially two good players.
“But obviously when you trade good players, you’re getting back a pretty good player. We’re excited for OG and Precious and Malachi, and wish RJ and Quick all the luck. I think they’re in really good positions: RJ being back at home [in Toronto], and Quick in a position to really show his full capabilities to go get his money this summer.”
Taj Gibson, who returned to the Knicks earlier this month as a free agent following injuries to centers Mitchell Robinson and Jericho Sims, has seen dozens of trades during a 15-year NBA career involving himself and teammates.
Gibson said he talked to both departing players Saturday morning and called it “gut-wrenching” to see them go.
“It kind of sucked. I’ve been around them since they came in the league. Great young men. It’s just tough, one of the tough parts about the business,” Gibson said. “Being able to see them this morning and talk, it was tough.
“Those guys were special young players. They could handle New York City. In the NBA, every time you think you’ve got it figured out, you don’t. Yeah, I just wish them the best, man. I’m still going to be their OG. A lot of feelings today, but it’s only for the best for them.”
Of course, Anunoby is the Knicks’ new OG, and Gibson called the versatile wing “a talented young man.”
Hart added that Anunoby, the 2022-23 NBA steals leader, is “a really tenacious defender,” and a traditional “3-and-D guy,” who knocks down nearly 40 percent of his 3-point attempts.
“I think whenever you have a trade like this, and guys get traded, you’re always able to see aspects of their game that you never really knew they had,” Hart said. “So I’m excited and anxious to see that aspect of OG and what else he can bring to the table outside the obvious.”
Anunoby also adds to the Knicks’ stable of CAA clients, the agency team president Leon Rose led before taking over the Knicks’ front office in March 2020.
“New York, New York, a wonderful town,” current CAA sports co-head Mike Levine posted on social media, with a picture of himself and Anunoby. “So excited for 2024 with OG in Orange and Blue. AllStar addition on and off the court. #caafamily #GoNY,GONY,Go!”