OG Anunoby officially denied his player option and will enter free agency this summer per various reports.
Insiders within the league had anticipated Anunoby’s decision to forego the player option on the final year of his four-year, $72 million contract, which he inked in December 2023 as a part of the Toronto Raptors. Anunoby was the 23rd pick in the 2017 NBA draft, and slowly developed into one of the best defensive wings in the league under Nick Nurse. He was acquired by the Knicks on December 30 this season, in a blockbuster trade that propelled the Knicks to a legitimate contender in the East.
In the 23 regular season games Anunoby played for the Knicks, they went 20-3. Anunoby added an elite perimeter defender to one of the best interior defenses in the league. His addition helped the Knicks blossom from a good defense into a top-five caliber defense. Since January 1st, the Knicks had the 3rd best defensive rating in the NBA (despite Anunoby missing 27 games). Anunoby had a defensive plus-minus of +3.1, in the 93rd percentile this season. Since he joined the Knicks, opponents shot just 41.5% from the field when he was the primary defender. That was the 2nd best mark among all players who played more than 20 games since Jan 1st.
From the rumors that are out there, OG Anunoby is expected to get a contract worth around $40 million a year. NBA executives are willing to look past the injury history and fork out the money, particularly because he is so valuable when he is on the court. Many teams could be suitors for Anunoby this offseason. However, the Knicks must do everything they can in their power to resign him. They did not trade away key young pieces like RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley for a five-month rental.