OG Anunoby is about to get paid. The New York Knicks star is due for a contract extension after a magnificent half-season with the team. Anunoby's elite presence on the defensive end, as well as his offensive production, proved that he's going to be a valuable member of the team for a long time. That realization came at an opportune time, as his contract is set to expire soon.
Now, the Knicks are looking to try and negotiate a deal with Anunoby. Michael Scotto and Ian Begley's report paints a rather interesting picture of the negotiations between the star and his team. Many in the league reportedly expect that New York will be able to keep the star forward. Scotto also named the expected value of the deal, but Begley also noted that competing deals could drive up the price.
Scotto: “The leaguewide expectation is that OG Anunoby will return to the Knicks. The question is, for how much? From executives I’ve talked to around the league, Anunoby’s floor appears to be $35 million, and his ceiling is a max contract.”
Begley: ” If they go well beyond $35 million, it’s going to be because of Philadelphia, Oklahoma City, or another team with cap space coming in with a significant offer that forces the Knicks to exceed that.”
Philly and Oklahoma City are two teams that have a real reason to push for Anunoby. The Sixers could pivot to pursuing the Knicks star if their Paul George push fails. On the other hand, the Thunder have the cap space to chase OG, who would be an instant upgrade over Josh Giddey in the starting lineup.
The Knicks acquired OG Anunoby in a midseason trade with the Toronto Raptors. New York sent Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett for the perennial All-Defensive candidate. Because of that package they sent, the team is all but required to push to keep him at all costs.
Knicks, Anunoby a perfect fit?
Despite the pricey package, Anunoby ended up being worth all of that and then sum. Anunoby added another versatile wing defender to a Knicks team that needed more perimeter defenders. In addition, his shooting and shot creation makes him a valuable part of the team.
When the core of Julius Randle, Anunoby, Jalen Brunson, and Josh Hart played together, they were near-unstoppable. They had a run where they were winning every game when the quarter played together. However, just before the start of the playoffs, Randle suffered what would eventually be a season-ending injury. It was a rough injury, but the Knicks persevered into the playoffs.
The Knicks were able to make it all the way to the second round of the playoffs. However, injuries to Anunoby, Hart, and Brunson eventually did the team in against the Indiana Pacers. Still, there's a lot of hope for this team moving forward. This season has proven that they have what it takes to be a contender… if they're healthy.
Granted, Anunoby's injury history is a bit concerning. Aside from the hamstring injury last season, Anunoby has faced a number of injuries, including one that kept him out for the entirety of the Raptors' championship campaign. Still, investing in OG is a worthwhile endeavor.
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