Barrett, Quickley thrilled to join Raptors

TORONTO – RJ Barrett woke up in an Indianapolis hotel room, ready to play the Pacers with the New York Knicks. But when he checked his phone he thought he was still dreaming because he’d been traded to his hometown Toronto Raptors. “My initial reaction was like, ‘what’s going on?’ I just woke up to it,” said a smiling Barrett.

“I was immediately happy. “I grew up a Raptors fan all my life. So to come here and put this jersey on, it’s going to be great.” Barrett, from Mississauga, Ont., and guard Immanuel Quickley had their first morning shootaround with the Raptors on Monday, two days after they were traded to Toronto from the Knicks.

Even two days after the deal was made official, Barrett was still bubbling with excitement. Story continues below advertisement “Really, really happy, really excited to be here. I’m thankful and blessed,” said Barrett at a post practice news conference. “There’s so many things I want to say, but it just sums up to being thankful to God for this opportunity.

“To be traded but then come here, come home, it’s a great feeling.” Toronto sent forwards OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa along with guard Malachi Flynn to the New York Knicks on Saturday for Barrett, Quickley, and a second round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Related Videos 4:26 Toronto Raptors set to host home opener tonight Toronto Raptors set to host home opener tonight Sneak peek at Scotiabank Arena’s $350M reno project Raptors kick off the pre season in Vancouver New scholarship for digital literacy in N.B.

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The No. 3 pick in the 2019 draft helped the Knicks reach the playoffs twice in the last three seasons after missing them the previous seven. Story continues below advertisement He said that he thinks the change of scenery came at the right time in his career. Get the latest National news. Sent to your email, every day.

“I think because of my time in New York, I’m able to to have a routine down. I know who I am, I know what I do,” said Barrett. “Maybe if I came here at 19 it would have been a little more difficult, but having grown up a little bit, I understand how I need to work and what I need to do.” More on Sports Raptors trade Anunoby, Achiuwa and Flynn to Knicks Reports: Raptors trade Anunoby, Achiuwa to Knicks NHL forward Reggie Savage, who played for Nordiques, Capitals, dies at 53 Canada falls to Sweden 2 0 in group play at World Juniors Barrett was also one of the anchors for the Canadian men’s team that won a bronze medal at the FIBA World Cup in September.

It was the first ever World Cup medal for Canada, which also earned a berth at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Canadian said that Quickley, the runner up for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award last season, is like a brother to him. The 24 year old shooting guard is averaging 15 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 24 minutes per game this season.

Trending Now Quebec City looks to Finland’s successful approach to ending homelessness Canadians could see changes in banking next year. What to expect “As soon as we got the word (of the trade,) he told me anything I need, to hit him up,” said Quickley on his relationship with Barrett. “When I got to New York, RJ was one of the first guys that I got close with and then playing against him, U.S.A.

versus Canada, has always been cool. Just having a brother like RJ is great.” Story continues below advertisement Toronto (12 20) ranked 12th in the NBA’s Eastern Conference standings before hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers (18 14) on Monday night. Neither Barrett nor Quickley was sure if they would play against Cleveland.

“We went over some stuff just now trying to learn everything on the fly,” said Barrett about his first practice with his new team. “In terms of expectations and role, I have no clue. “I just got here so I’m just trying to see how these games go and just see how we can grow in as a group.” Quickley said the Raptors had been very welcoming but, like Barrett, he wasn’t yet sure how head coach Darko Rajakovic would use him in games.

“It’s been unbelievable, couldn’t ask for anything better,” he said. “Great city great culture. The camaraderie of the team is great. “You can tell that people care about each other around here and you couldn’t ask for anything better than that.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan.

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