Knicks Rumors: OG Anunoby May Test Free Agency, Consider Contracts from Other Teams

OG Anunoby returning to the New York Knicks may not be a surefire thing this offseason.

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reported on the situation Thursday and noted there is some belief around the league that Anunoby, who has a player option for the 2024-25 campaign, “could reach unrestricted free agency and consider deals from other franchises in addition to New York.”

Fischer compared Anunoby to another player who was traded from the Toronto Raptors this season and noted there is more of an expectation that Pascal Siakam will surely re-sign with the Indiana Pacers than there is with Anunoby and the Knicks.

New York gave up RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a 2024 second-round draft pick to land Anunoby, Malachi Flynn and Precious Achiuwa in the December trade, so it will likely want to keep the primary piece of that move beyond just the end of this past season.

And the forward fit in well with the Knicks while averaging 14.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks in 23 regular-season games. He also shot 48.8 percent from the floor and 39.4 percent from deep during those contests as a two-way player who impacted the game on both ends of the floor.

Unfortunately for the Knicks, he suffered a hamstring injury during Game 2 of their second-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers and was sidelined until he played just five minutes in Game 7.

It was one of a number of injuries for New York with Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson and Bojan Bogdanović also dealing with ailments.

The Knicks still took the Pacers to seven games and might have won the series if Anunoby remained healthy considering they did take a 2-0 lead when he was able to play during the first two contests.

There remains an element of unfinished business, which could, in theory, motivate both sides to come to terms on a long-term deal this offseason.

Still, it seems as if Anunoby will at least consider his options elsewhere.