Toronto and New York? Again?

The Knicks and Raptors step away from the bench long enough to deal

Is it supposed to be funny that the Raptors and Knicks can’t get enough of each other? Do they have to keep suing each other, trading with each other, leering at one another?

Toronto dealt its big piece on Saturday, according to Woj: OG Anunoby to New York for Immanuel Quickley and R.J. Barrett. New York also receives Precious Achiuwa No first-round picks exchange but the Raptors receive the Detroit Pistons’ top pick in 2024’s second-round, the hardest-earned 31st-overall selection in the NBA’s 70-odd years.

That’s historical enough, but Toronto and New York enjoy a deeper relationship. These teams love trading with each other.

The first trade deadline deal in Toronto’s history was the sagacious 1996 swap sending Victor Alexander and Willie Anderson to New York in exchange for Herb Williams and, most covetously for the Raptors, Doug Christie.

Christie grew into a Toronto mainstay, guarding Michael Jordan better than any opponent in the NBA during Jordan’s last few seasons. The Knicks, who planned on playing Jordan in the playoffs, set Christie aside for cap space which turned into Allan Houston and Chris Childs, who did not defend Michael Jordan as expertly: