OG Anunoby will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. The New York Knicks knew there was a risk when they traded for him in December. He is expected to test his market before deciding where to commit over the next three to four years.
Stefan Bondy of the New York Post recently said on the “HoopsHype Podcast” that Paul George’s free agency could dictate the type of contract Anunoby could command.
“An x-factor in the Anunoby sweepstakes is Paul George,” Bondy said. “If George doesn’t go to Philadelphia or Oklahoma City, those two teams will have to spend their money to get someone. Anunoby is an interesting piece to bring to those two teams. It depends on the market, but I would be very surprised if the Knicks don’t bring Anunoby back one way or another.”
Anunoby is critical to the Knicks’ chances of competing in the near future. His three-and-d style of play is perfect for Tom Thibodeau’s system. We have yet to see how dominant his frontcourt partnership with Julius Randle could be. Both are strong forwards who can score on multiple levels.
Naturally, the Knicks will likely be wary of Anunoby’s injury history. After his trade from the Toronto Raptors, he played just 23 regular season games and missed four of New York’s five playoff games against the Indiana Pacers.
However, if Anunoby is healthy, the Knicks will be a contending team. That’s why they expect to carry on the potential bidding war for his services. Anunoby could potentially receive a slight premium to stay in the Big Apple. That’s why his decision to test the free agent market was smart. He knew there would be competing teams with cap space looking to upgrade the wing position.