Raptors miss OG Anunoby defensively, now have to deal with Stephen Curry

They call fair deals win-win trades for a reason. Both sides get something they need, even though it might mean they turn a former strength into a weakness.

That appears to be the case following Toronto’s big deal with the New York Knicks that centred around OG Anunoby, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett. A Raptors team that struggled to shoot the ball and score in the half-court, but was OK defensively, has morphed post-deal into what appears to be a far more balanced and dangerous offensive group, but one a lot less sound at the other end of the court. Yes, small sample size rules apply, after all, it’s only been three games with the newcomers on the court and Anunoby in New York, but it’s not hard to project a few things moving forward. Quickley’s range and accuracy and speed add badly needed elements to the offence. Barrett’s ability to get downhill and create offence when the team is in a pinch also address former weaknesses. Put together, the duo looks like it will easily replace what Anunoby provided on offence (even though he’s an elite catch-and-shoot three-point shooter). And another benefit of the deal is the fact that Precious Achiuwa and Malachi Flynn have been replaced in the rotation by better players.

On the other hand, losing Anunoby, one of the best and most versatile defenders in the entire NBA makes life more difficult on defence for every other Raptor (this applies to a lesser extent to dropping Achiuwa, who had a lot of good moments as a defender). Anunoby didn’t always get tasked with checking the fastest and most elusive guards in the league, but when he did, he usually did about as good a job as possible on them. Since he’s been gone Toronto has had trouble containing Cleveland guards Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert (a combined 57 points on 20-for-41 shooting), Memphis guards Ja Morant and Desmond Bane (50 points on 19-for-36 shooting) and Sacramento’s De’Aaron Fox (24 on 50% shooting).

It won’t get any easier in San Francisco Sunday when the opponent will be led by arguably the best shooter in NBA history, Stephen Curry. Consider that Curry has averaged 27 points a night on 50% shooting in 21 career regular season games against the Raptors. And that’s with Anunoby guarding him in a good number of those contests. What’s going to happen Sunday with Anunoby gone? Toronto’s tried Scottie Barnes in the role again lately, but so far it’s not a task he’s been up to. Barnes has found more success the last two seasons in a more secondary defensive role. He’s been sublime as a rover this season, coming out of nowhere for blocks and steals. Against quick guards Barnes, like most defenders, has been at a disadvantage.

The Raptors will have to consider other options.

One point guard Barnes won’t be guarding on Sunday is future Hall of Fame Chris Paul. Paul fractured a hand this week and will be out indefinitely. Golden State will also be without veteran former all-star Draymond Green, who was just reinstated from suspension but is expected to need some time to get in game shape.

Golden State has been a major disappointment this season, just two years removed from its most recent championship, and needs a win just to get back to .500, but has 308 home wins over the last 10 seasons, far more than any other team, and remains dangerous whether playing in Oakland or San Francisco.

Toronto is hoping to get Gary Trent Jr. back in the lineup after he missed the game in Sacramento due to an injury. Trent has been listed as probable and got through a practice on Saturday.