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Knicks sign OG Anunoby to a five-year, $212.5 million contract
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    Knicks sign OG Anunoby to a five-year, $212.5 million contract

    After being dealt to the New York Knicks ahead of the trade deadline, former Raptor OG Anunoby is choosing to remain in the Big Apple.

    Anunoby is signing a five-year, $212.5 million deal with the Knicks, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Wednesday.

    According to Wojnarowski, the deal will include a player option and a trade kicker.

    Anunoby came into the off-season with a player option for $19.9 million but opted to decline it on Monday, officially hitting the open market. Previous reports had suggested the wing was looking for a contract north of $35 million per season, and with this deal, he’ll earn an average of $42.5 million per year.

    This deal will make Anunoby the highest-paid player on the Knicks roster, eclipsing the $28.9 million forward Julius Randle will make next season.

    Though often injured, Anunoby enjoyed an impactful defensive campaign, helping the Knicks to a 20-3 regular season record when he took the floor for them. He averaged 14.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.7 steals+blocks per game last season while hitting 38.2 per cent of his 3-pointers.

    The 26-year-old was acquired by the Knicks in a blockbuster swap that sent Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett to the Toronto Raptors. With him, New York enjoyed their best season in over a decade, finishing with a 50-32 regular season record that eventually culminated in a second-round loss to the Indiana Pacers.

    However, Anunoby was hobbled throughout the playoffs with a hamstring strain, missing four games against Indiana and only playing four minutes in Game 7. 

    Originally drafted by Toronto as the 23rd overall pick in 2017, the London, U.K. native has enjoyed a promising growth in the Association. From scoring 5.9 points per game in his rookie season to 14.7 last year and from being a defensive specialist to being known as one of the best 3-and-D players in the league.

    He led the league in steals in the 2022-23 season with 1.9 per game and was voted to the All-Defence second team. He finished that year seventh in Defensive Player of the Year voting.

    New York has had a loud off-season so far, penning a blockbuster deal with the Brooklyn Nets for Mikal Bridges on Tuesday. They’ll now pair Anunoby with another renowned defensive stalwart, giving the Knicks a fearsome tandem on the wings.

    They went all-in on Bridges, acquiring the forward for a massive haul of picks, sending four unprotected first-rounders (2025, 2027, 2029, 2031) and a protected first from the Milwaukee Bucks in 2025, as well as a pick swap in 2028 and Brooklyn’s very-own 2025 second-rounder.

    With the deal, the Knicks have the second-largest payroll in the league next season, sitting at a pretty $255.8 million, $114.8 million above the cap. Only the Minnesota Timberwolves have a higher projected payroll at $273.6 million per Spotrac.

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    The New York Knicks made a big splash in the NBA free agency market by signing OG Anunoby to a lucrative five-year, $212.5 million contract. The deal solidifies Anunoby as a key piece of the Knicks’ future plans and demonstrates their commitment to building a competitive team.

    Anunoby, a versatile forward known for his defensive prowess and improving offensive game, has been a rising star in the league. The 24-year-old Nigerian-Canadian player was drafted by the Toronto Raptors in 2017 and quickly made a name for himself with his athleticism and tenacity on the court.

    The Knicks, who have been rebuilding their roster in recent years, see Anunoby as a cornerstone player who can help lead them to success in the Eastern Conference. His ability to guard multiple positions and contribute on offense makes him a valuable asset for the team.

    The $212.5 million contract is a significant investment by the Knicks, but it reflects Anunoby’s potential and the team’s belief in his ability to continue to improve and make an impact on the court. The deal also sends a message to other teams that the Knicks are serious about competing at a high level and are willing to spend money to build a winning team.

    Overall, the signing of OG Anunoby is a major move for the Knicks and sets the stage for an exciting future for the team and its fans. With Anunoby locked in for the next five years, the Knicks have a talented young player who can help them compete with the best teams in the league.