OG Anunoby is declining his $19.9MM player option and will become an unrestricted free agent, Fred Katz of The Athletic tweets.
It’s long been anticipated that Anunoby would test the free agent waters. He’ll be one of the most coveted players on the market, coming in at No. 5 among our top 50 free agents this summer. However, it’s unlikely any team would be willing to max him out due to his lack of durability. As noted in our free agent rankings, injuries have cost him 29, 34, 15, and 32 games in the past four seasons.
When Anunoby suits up though, he’s a difference-maker. After the Knicks acquired him from the Raptors in December, New York’s net rating in his 802 regular season minutes was an eye-popping +21.7. Both the Knicks’ offensive rating (122.6) and defensive rating (100.9) during those minutes would’ve ranked first in the NBA.
Anunoby, 26, is in the prime of his career that began during the 2017/18 season. In 50 regular-season games in ’23/24, he averaged 14.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals. He earned All-Defensive honors in 2022/23 but didn’t qualify this past season due to the 65-game minimum rule in the new CBA.
A recent report suggested that the floor for Anunoby’s next contract is $35MM per year, meaning the non-Knicks suitors will be limited to teams who can create significant cap room or are in position to pull off a sign-and-trade. That list isn’t extensive, but the Sixers are among the cap-room clubs that could have interest. He’d be a fallback option for them if they couldn’t land Paul George in free agency.
Still, the Knicks, who possess Anunoby’s full Bird rights, have the inside track on re-signing him. Discussing the forward’s impending free agency earlier today, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype confirmed a recent report from Brian Windhorst of ESPN, who hinted that New York’s initial offer wasn’t up to par, but added that New York “remains committed” to re-signing Anunoby and is viewed as the favorite by rival executives.
$35M/yr is the floor for a guy who plays maybe 60% of the season. yikes!
That would equate to a $49M per year contract if he intended to only play 60% for pay of $35M per.
Stop counting other peoples pockets
This is a rumors site. He hasn’t been paid, so nobody is counting his pockets. If you don’t like common sports discourse, why are you here bozo?
His career is about 73% games played, now his body is getting older.
Chance to sign OG, imo
Knicks 40%
76ers 30%
Other 30%
Decline option is the most predictable move of the off-season
If OG going to make the Knicks pay top dollar go elsewhere. I want someone who’s willing to put my team first. Hopefully IHART does that
When a girl is silent, she loves a boy.
When IHART is silent, he likes Knicks?
Knicks fans should have something to think about.
Um, what?
IHART is silent. What hint?
Just in Rumors: Isaiah Hartenstein will sign with the Thunder for three years, $65 million
Have the police ever raided your home?
73% eh? Was that total acquired using the same software that writes your posts? If so, I wouldn’t trust it to be accurate.
If OG was 30 I would worry about his injuries. The kid is just 26, playoff tested and a tough,physical defender. He is not afraid to take a big shot and is improving in all facets of his game. The knickerbockers would be foolish to let him walk. Yes he definitely worth 35 million to the right team.
He’s never been healthy, he’s made of glass. Dumb to pay him.
A genius ……. what is it about the Knicks. That just brings out the ignorance in people. I doubt you watch games. Certainly don’t watch Knick gms.
76ers are as hungry as ever. LOL They want every chance they can get into. They want something for free because they don’t have good available assets to trade
They are targeting all the damaged goods free agent or stars
George
OG
Zach LaVine
etc
Brunson looking at possibly taking a team friendly deal. Why doesn’t OG. Give me players who want to play for my team. Sign and trade OG for Mikal.
If the Knicks only had players who wanted to play for them, they wouldn’t have any players. When’s the last time a real free agents signed in NY? Don’t worry, I’ll wait.
@Highway. I can hope that things are slowly changing
Brunson…?
Randle, IHart, Brunson, Donte …..
Come here be informed. Otherwise we will think U R one DA ……
Oh and Hart too ….. that’s 5 FA. A starting LOL
Because employees deserve to get paid what they’re worth? And this will be OG’s first truly massive deal. It’s not like he’s been LeBron making a zillion dollars to this point. As long as he brings the effort and energy every night, that should be good enough.
Don’t blame anyone for wanting to get paid. OG not worth more than 30 mill. I’m sure he wants more. Well.
“Under the new CBA OG can sign a new four-year $116.9 million extension. This starts at 140% of his $18.6 million deal in 2023-24 with $2.1 million increases each season.
Year 1 = $26.1 m, Year 2 = $28.2 m, Year 3 $30.3 m, Year 4 = 32.4 m.“
This is the reality. He could have waited till next yr to get more as unrestricted FA. So if he overprices himself. Knicks can just do a sign-n-trade. He ain’t walking on us.
Truth is he and IHart have already said they want to stay. So they’ll work it out.
Massive overpay incoming.
Probably, but if he can just manage to get his yearly 20-30 missed games out of the way in time for the playoffs it could still pay off. Either way, the Knicks are basically pot-committed here.
Awe yeah, don’t turn back now. Keep spending, all in.
If I were playing on the knicks I would definitely want to be overpaid. Because you lose about 3-5 years(of your career) under thibs.
OG should go to OKC…
OG always looks like he’s sick with something ……… just sayin’