Knicks’ OG Anunoby enters free agency after $19.9 million contract decision
The New York Knicks have a key NBA free agency target in former Toronto Raptors starting forward OG Anunoby. Anunoby played his role with the Knicks well during the latter half of the 2023-24 season; however, he has made a big contract decision that could affect his future with the team. Anunoby has declined his $19.9 million player option and will officially be an unrestricted free agency, per The Athletic’s Fred Katz.
OG Anunoby’s contract move gives him more options. He can negotiate and resign with the Knicks, or he can accept another offer teams give him. Hopefully, his decision to decline his player option results in New York simply restructuring his contract.
Anunoby was a key part of New York’s late-season push. After being traded from the Raptors, the 6’7″ forward averaged 14.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. In addition, he shot an earnest 39.4 percent on three-pointers. Anunoby was a stout presence in the playoffs as well until a hamstring injury limited his play in the later stages.
Hopefully, he and the Knicks can work things out so he can return to continue being a two-way force for the team. However, if not, ClutchPoints’ Knicks Beat Reporter Drew Maresca outlined two alternatives.
First, the Knicks can complete a sign-and-trade with Anunoby.
“If Anunoby is miffed by the Knicks’ initial offer and/or if the two sides simply can’t agree on terms, New York could pivot to a sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Clippers [for Paul George]. Los Angeles is far more likely to pay Anunoby than George, given Anunoby’s relative youth,” Maresca stated.
The second alternative Maresca proposed is for the Knicks to draft an “OG Anunoby clone.” New York could draft a player similar to Anunoby and develop him into a 3-and-D player.
Why OG Anunoby should resign with Knicks despite contract move
Anunoby’s presence on the Knicks is important not just for production, but for team chemistry. Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo discussed the role the Knicks’ sense of togetherness played in their stellar regular season run.
“It’s a mixture of the chemistry we have, a mixture of the coaches and how they want us to have a mentality,” Brunson said in April. “Guys just have that mindset. It’s how most of us grew up as basketball players.”
DiVincenzo further emphasized that New York’s locker room has supreme synergy.
“I think we genuinely like each other. It’s not BS, it’s not for the cameras — I think everybody in this locker room likes each other and everybody in this locker room wants everybody else to succeed. That’s the rarity here,” DiVincenzo said.
“It’s not ‘I’m trying to get mine, I hope you succeed as well.’ It’s ‘I hope you succeed, and you’re gonna help me succeed at the same time.’ And I think that’s the overall mindset in this locker room and it’s helped us get 50 wins this year,” he added.
OG Anunoby was an important part of the team culture. Once he returns healthy, New York can avenge their second-round exit from 2024. It will be interesting to see the final NBA free agency decision Anunoby makes come July.
The post Knicks’ OG Anunoby enters free agency after $19.9 million contract decision appeared first on ClutchPoints.
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