O.G. Anunoby enters free agency: 76ers, Thunder headline best landing spots for Knicks forward | Sporting News

Will the Knicks be the ones to pay O.G. Anunoby?

New York acquired the defensive ace from Toronto at the 2024 trade deadline but is now at risk of losing him months later. Anunoby had a $19.9 million player option in his contract for the 2024-25 season that he has declined to enter unrestricted free agency, per The Athletic’s Fred Katz.

The belief when the Knicks traded for Anunoby was that he’d land a contract that would pay him between $30-35 million annually, per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. That value has reportedly gone up to $35 million annually.

Here’s why New York may be put in a tough position to pay Anunoby and the options open to him.

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O.G. Anunoby extension, max contract options

Even though Anunoby is now a free agent, the Knicks still have the inside track since they will have the ability to offer him a five-year contract rather than a four-year deal other teams could offer. His annual raises would also be greater in New York than other teams.

Looking at what similar wing players have earned over the past few years, a reasonable deal for Anunoby would start at around $35 million. With standard eight percent raises, that would put him at around $200 million over the next five years, which is a little short of his $245 million max.

MORE: What makes O.G. Anunoby the league’s best glue guy

O.G. Anunoby landing spots

76ers

If the Knicks blanch at the thought of giving Anunoby his maximum deal, then there is a chance they could lose him. Given his injury history and the fact that he would be the third-best player on most teams, there is some number that they would probably have to let him go.

This is a very bad free agent class, and there are only six teams with projected cap space. The Sixers have $55 million to spend, per Spotrac. That would give them enough money to get to a maximum deal for Anunoby, who should be one of their top targets.

The 76ers have long dreamed of having a player like Anunoby. He would fit perfectly next to Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, and his old coach Nick Nurse would know exactly how to use him. Stealing him from the Knicks would also make a rival weaker. He would be a massive upgrade over what Tobias Harris gave them last season. 

Philadelphia could offer Anunoby a four-year deal for up to $182 million. That would start him at around $42 million, which is well above the $35 million that the Knicks are expected to offer. Would that be enough to pry him away? 

Thunder

The Thunder showed they are a good team that is a piece or two away from being great. They have a projected $34 million in cap space, which isn’t quite enough to get past the Knicks into the Anunoby bidding. If they traded away Lu Dort, then they could make the same offer as the Sixers. 

Anunoby would help solve one of the major problems that the Thunder had during the playoffs. The Mavericks crowded the paint against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in part because of the lack of reliable shooters around him.

That won’t be as big of a problem after trading Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso, but Anunoby would be an elite 3-and-D option to strengthen them even further. A starting five of Gilgeous-Alexander, Caruso, Anunoby, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren would likely make OKC the championship favorites.

Acquiring Anunoby wouldn’t close the doors on future improvements, either, The Thunder would still retain their massive stash of draft picks and could make further trades down the line. 

MORE: Trade grades: Thunder clear winners in Josh Giddey-Alex Caruso swap

Knicks

Despite the interest in Anunoby from other teams, the Knicks should still be considered the favorites to hold onto him. They are the only team that can offer him a fifth year on his deal, giving him added security and more money. And they’re a great team with real championship aspirations.

Overpaying Anunoby would give the Knicks a larger tax bill, but it wouldn’t preclude them from bringing back Isaiah Hartenstein or making bigger moves down the line. The Knicks will have up to eight first-round picks to trade after the draft. That puts them in a power position in the East.

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Injury is always a concern with Anunoby, given that he’s averaged under 60 games played over his seven-year career. That could be the deciding factor that makes New York walk away from a mega-deal for their glue guy. If they are willing to pay whatever it takes, though, he should be back in New York.