The expectation around the NBA is that OG Anunoby‘s floor as a free agent this offseason is $35MM per year, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype said during the latest HoopsHype podcast. Anunoby’s ceiling is a maximum-salary contract, though two general managers who spoke to Scotto said a max deal for the three-and-D star would be difficult to swallow, given his injury history.
While Scotto, Ian Begley of SNY.tv, and Stefan Bondy of The New York Post all view the Knicks as the strong favorites to sign Anunoby, they point out that the team could face some competition if Paul George returns to the Clippers, since he’s considered the top target for cap-room teams like the Sixers, who could shift their focus to Anunoby if they miss out on George. Begley and Bondy each suggests that if the Knicks re-sign Anunoby, the deal might include some protections or incentives related to games played.
As for the Knicks’ other top free agent, a pair of GMs told Scotto that they expect New York to have to offer the full Early Bird amount (four years, $72.5MM) for Isaiah Hartenstein, since the team can’t afford to lose him, though those GMs acknowledged that a contract of that size might not be very movable down the road.
Scotto hears that the Thunder, who have been cited as a possible rival suitor for Hartenstein, are likely to be focused on shorter-term deals for any top free agent targets, which could give the Knicks an advantage if they’re willing to go up to four years. According to Bondy, there’s some speculation that Oklahoma City could offer “something in the realm” of $50MM over two years for Hartenstein, perhaps with a second-year opt-out, like the deal Bruce Brown got from Indiana last summer. However, it’s possible the veteran center would prefer longer-term security.
Here’s more on the Knicks from the HoopsHype podcast:
- A contract extension for head coach Tom Thibodeau appears to be a matter of “when rather than if,” according to Scotto. Discussing potential terms, Bondy predicts a three-year, $33MM deal, while Begley speculates that Thibodeau may just get two new guaranteed seasons, with a third-year team option.
- Both Bondy and Begley view Jalen Brunson as more likely than Julius Randle to sign an extension this offseason, even though Brunson could potentially sign a much more lucrative deal if he waits one more year. As Bondy observes, one factor to consider is that signing an extension this summer would put Brunson on track to reach free agency in 2028, when he would have 10 years of NBA service under his belt and would be eligible for a starting salary worth up to 35% of the cap (instead of 30%). “That doesn’t mean he’s going to do it,” Bondy cautioned. “I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of debate with (agent) Aaron Mintz, the Knicks, and Rick and Jalen Brunson about what’s the best way to go. I think he’s going to consider it.”
- The expectation is that the Knicks will likely guarantee Bojan Bogdanovic‘s $19MM salary for 2024/25, per Scotto. It’s currently only partially guaranteed for $2MM. The team wouldn’t generate any cap room by cutting him and would lose a big expiring contract for a possible trade, Begley adds.
- Precious Achiuwa‘s future in New York is uncertain, especially if Hartenstein returns, since new deals for Hartenstein and Anunoby would likely push the Knicks’ team salary into tax territory. Achiuwa is eligible for restricted free agency this offseason. “I think you give him the ($6.3MM) qualifying offer and see what his market is,” Begley said. “If you need to rescind the qualifying offer for financial reasons, you can. That’s probably how it’ll go. Hartenstein’s deal is going to happen before Achiuwa, so you’ll have a chance to know whether he’ll be back before making a final decision on Achiuwa.”
- The Knicks hold a pair of first-round picks at No. 24 and 25, but neither Bondy nor Begley expects them to use both to draft players. Assuming they use at least one of those selections, talented Virginia defender Ryan Dunn could be a target — people around the league have frequently linked him to the Knicks, per Scotto, though he could come off the board even earlier than No. 24.
Knicks have a lot of decisions to make
Thankfully most of them are about bringing guys back instead of pursuing FAs.
7 teams have cap room to offer Hartenstein
2 years $60m or
3 years $80m
Overpay is the key to success this summer
No one is paying him $30m per. I’d be surprised if he got $20m per.
Can you share what strain you’re smoking?
Definitely getting more then $20m. Some team will overpay.
“Some team will overpay.”
That’s the key, will they? I’d be surprised if, but if so, then that’s not going to be a contract that will age well, especially if it’s a team system that is not conducive to his game. He’s a talented backup, but long term starter he is not as effective. Even on the Knicks, he was forced into the role, but Robinson was the better defender and rebounder and could play the bigger guys better.
He’s 100% getting 20 mil a year at least.. there’s hardly any decent free agents this year which means teams will overpay for average ones
Anunoby is amazing within his skillset, but 35 million for a pure 3&D player is *rough*. I know salaries have been skyrocketing in the NBA over the past few years, but dear lord.
He’s also a lock to miss at least 20-30 games every season.
Personally I think he’s 30-32M per max. When he’s on the court and in the right system, he’s extremely effective. But that’s just it, on the court and right system. Id be leery of a team expects him to drop 20 ppg due to a big contract they dropped on him. He’s not that player.
Right. He probably should get around $30 million, but I guarantee that teams like Philly will offer him more and the Knicks’s back is a little against the wall here. Would not be surprised if they gave him a max, unfortunately.
I can see Philly driving the salary up on the Knicks so they can:
1. Evaporate as much cap space for outgoing years and other players,
2. Reduce any chance of Embiid becoming a Knick down the road.
But Rose has been solid and don’t see him biting. I think he gets it done, but may have to bump it up more than 30-32M and slip a player option in there. I think the Sixers are going to focus more on PG and pull all the stops to get one they feel good about. Players like Colby White or Van Fleet, and plug in more depth would be my thoughts
Seems like there should be more talk about Siakam going to Philly. He’s prob closer to Embiid than any other guy in the league that he hasn’t already played with. He’s arguably the best free agent on the market & Philly has the most $ to spend. Choosing Philly over Indy (just as a place to live/work for 7-8months) isn’t a complete no-brainer but it’s def in that ballpark. If I’m the 76ers he’d be my #1 target & if I’m Siakam I’d be very interested in Philly as well.
Also/crucially, if anyone knows how great Siakam is it should be Philly. He’s torched then numerous times over the years, including in the playoffs vs the best 76ers squad of the past 20yrs… link to m.youtube.com
Likely
OG
4 year $160m
Hartenstein
4 year $100m
‘Unlikely.’
Fixed your typo.
Been saying the whole time IHart is only getting that Bruce Brown offer. No team is handcuffing themselves to him for 4 year at 20-25 million. He is a stop gap but not worth losing any players they need to pay in the future.
Love OGs defense. But can you really pay a guy 40M per that in his career has only scored 20 or more 73 times out of 418 games?
Like 40M to a guy more likely than not going to average sub-15ppg for the life of that contract? Defense is there. Availability is questionable. I mean I was thinking it would take 25-30M per season.
Think about everything that just went on with Tobias Harris for years. It’s going to be the same for OG in NYC. At 17-18 per, he’s fine, he’s the highest paid on the roster at 35 or 40M.
Will be paid twice or more as much as Dort.
IHART needs to stay even if that means trading Robinson
Not sure if you meant to reply to me. But if they are intent on keeping iHart they should move Randle and Robinson for Towns. You could play those two together on the floor at the same time.
IHart has bigger odds to leave than OG. Both seem really happy here. Both see where this team going. I think they both stay. I’m sure Knicks want them both. And rather just trade Mitch.
Knicks draft a Center. Then get ready for a move.