The New York Knicks will enter 2024-25 with one of the most formidable perimeter defenses after free agent OG Anunoby decided to ink a five-year contract to remain in the Big Apple, per ESPN senior insider Adrian Wojnarowski. The deal will pay Anunoby a grand total of $212.5 million, with a player option in the final year. Should the Knicks decide to move him down the line, the contract also has a trade kicker.
Free agent F OG Anunoby intends to sign a five-year, $212.5 million contract to return to the New York Knicks, sources tell ESPN. Deal will include a player option and a trade kicker. pic.twitter.com/q5VcjOeryW
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2024
Knicks, OG Anunoby to Agree to 5-Year Contract
On Tuesday night, New York acquired swingman Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets. This required them to trade Bojan Bogdanović, five first round picks, and more. Nonetheless, the deal was considered to be worth it due to Bridges’s collegiate connection with several members of their core.
The only problem was that it made it more difficult to imagine Anunoby returning.
For all of the fanfare surrounding Bridges, there’s a lot of overlap between he and Anunoby. Both are most valued for their defensive prowess, from their ability to suffocate ball-handlers on the perimeter to their penchant for switching onto various players. At the other end, they’re among the most efficient and consistent 3-point threats in the NBA. However, their bag isn’t quite developed enough for them to excel in one-on-one situations.
This didn’t mean that Anunoby wouldn’t sign. Nonetheless, it would have led to him questioning his role. Especially as Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart are likely to have significant roles. Furthermore, they have to feature Julius Randle, the only Knicks player besides Jalen Brunson who has proven he can consistently score 20+ points per game.
Perhaps Anunoby still wonders exactly where and how he fits with his squad. $200-plus makes those voices a bit quieter though.
