Raptors will be short-handed after big trade with the New York Knicks
A big trade went down in the NBA but didn’t involve the Detroit Pistons . Instead, the scuffling Toronto Raptors decided it was finally time to proactively move a player they might lose for nothing and send out OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks for a package headlined by RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickly.
That means that the Raptors, who have won only three of their past 15 games, will be without their now-former players, and the new players are not yet able to suit up for them. Anunoby was third on the team in minutes, averaging 33.3, scoring 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. The team also sent out Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn, seventh and eighth in minutes, respectively.
The most important Raptor will be in uniform, however, and that is clearly Scottie Barnes. The 2021 Rookie of the Year has taken a huge leap this season, adding a diversified scoring attack to his multi-positional defense and worthy playmaking games. Barnes is averaging 21 points, 9.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 3 stocks (steals plus blocks) per game. His assist-to-turnover ratio is better than 2-to-1 and he has career highs in both free-throw rate and 3-point attempt rate.
In the Raps’ game Friday to the Boston Celtics , Barnes splashed a career-high 7 threes on 15 attempts. He also added 10 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. It amounted to a two-point loss, and Toronto still doesn’t seem to have answers on how to string together wins consistently. Hence finally making a big trade.
We are still waiting on the Pistons to both make a small trade or bundle of trades and also to win a freaking game. Their record-setting losing streak stands at 28 games. Maybe the madness finally stops tonight.
Game Vitals
When: 6 p.m. ET
Where: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Watch: Bally Sports Detroit
Odds: Pistons +4
Projected Lineups
Detroit Pistons (2-29)
Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Bojan Bogdanovic, Kevin Knox, Jalen Duren
Toronto Raptors (12-19)
Scottie Barnes, Gary Trent, Otto Porter, Pascal Siakam, Jakob Poeltl
Question of the Game
Are you watching this game to the end of flipping to the Lions game?