Did the Knicks Overcommit on $212.5 Million Deal?

The New York Knicks re-signed OG Anunoby to a five-year, $212.5 million deal at the start of free agency. His contract includes a 15% trade bonus and a player option.

Re-signing Anunoby was a priority for the Knicks, especially after acquiring Mikal Bridges. This move gives the Knicks one of the top defensive wing duos in the NBA, crucial for competing against teams like the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference.

Despite being called a “smart move” by ESPN’s MarkBobby s, he placed it in the “most head-scratching deals” category in his July 11 article reviewing offseason contracts.

“Knicks fans shouldn’t worry too much; re-signing Anunoby was a smart move. The Knicks were 20-3 with Anunoby during the regular season, and he is one of the NBA’s elite defenders, now in his prime at 27,” Marks wrote. “The contract is puzzling due to the 15% trade bonus and the full guarantee for all five years.

The Knicks might argue the contract will age well, especially with a projected annual salary cap increase of 10%. The $42.5 million salary in Year 3 is below the max for a player with six years or less of experience. However, durability remains a concern, as Anunoby has averaged only 50 games per season over the past four years.”

Other Teams Were Interested in Anunoby

The New York Knicks’ decision to include a 15% trade bonus and fully guarantee OG Anunoby’s contract may have been influenced by his demands. With other teams showing interest, including the Philadelphia 76ers—who, according to Ian Begley of SNY, were eyeing Anunoby as an offseason target—the Knicks had to act quickly.

“Philadelphia 76ers officials have identified Anunoby as a potential target this offseason, with Paul George also on their radar,” Begley reported on May 21.

“If the Sixers miss out on George, they might make a substantial offer to Anunoby, potentially forcing New York to match it.”

To ensure they didn’t lose Anunoby, the Knicks offered this contract, giving him the leverage to avoid the risk of other teams swooping in with lucrative offers.

Why Anunoby Justifies the Expense

The New York Knicks faced numerous injuries during the 2023-24 season but demonstrated their potential when OG Anunoby and Julius Randle were both on the court.

Randle, who was sidelined after January 27 due to shoulder surgery, missed the rest of the season, while Anunoby was out for all of February and parts of April.

When Anunoby and Randle played alongside Jalen Brunson, the Knicks achieved a 12-2 record. Although this is a limited sample size, the team appeared to be among the best in the NBA when fully healthy.

Despite Anunoby’s injury history, losing him after trading RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley would have been detrimental for the Knicks. Given their awareness of his injury track record before acquiring him, investing in his contract makes sense.

This contract also solidifies the Knicks’ core of Bridges, Randle, Brunson, and Anunoby, featuring two All-NBA and two All-Defensive selections.