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Former Knicks Forward Opens Up About Trade

RJ Barrett looked back on his trade from the New York Knicks to the Toronto Raptors.

Jeremy Brener

Jan 20, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) attempts a three point shot against Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett (9) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Jan 20, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) attempts a three point shot against Toronto Raptors guard RJ Barrett (9) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett spent his first four seasons in the NBA with the New York Knicks after the franchise selected him with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2019 draft.

Barrett was traded back in December to his hometown team in the deal that brought OG Anunoby to New York. He spoke about the trade with Sharp Magazine reporter David Stol

"It's just a literal dream come true," Barrett said. "I grew up with my dad taking me to games. […] When I found out I was coming home, I didn't know how to act. I was pinching myself and telling my people, 'We're really here. We're playing for the Toronto Raptors.'"

While Barrett is thankful to be able to play where he grew up, he misses playing in New York after rebuilding the team from the ground up.

"I think people forget that we really built something there," Barrett said. "When I arrived, we weren't contending. We weren't close, really. My sophomore year, we made the playoffs. Then, we just kept building. We gave the fans something to cheer for. And they deserve it, man. It's a tough city but you earn their love. I'm glad we got there for them."

While Barrett is no longer with the Knicks, his contributions are still recognized for the climb that helped the team get to where it got. Two playoff appearances in four years is a strong achievement for a player that came to the team when it was one of the worst in the league.

The Barrett trade netted Anunoby, who signed a long-term extension this summer, so any progress the Knicks make over the next few years will have to be accredited partially to Barrett and his contributions during his tenure in New York.

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Jeremy Brener

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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