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Knicks Are Struggling Since Star Is Expecting A New Contract………………….
The New York Knicks will need to make a choice shortly in relation to OG Anunoby’s impending contract discussions. OG is reportedly seeking a deal worth $118 million that extends beyond four years. Since being sent to New York in December, he has missed 22 out of 39 games. This isn’t exclusive to this season; over the course of his tenure in Toronto, OG has experienced numerous injuries. When he suits up, though, OG has been the ideal addition. His historical on-court plus/minus is a stellar +297. In addition, the Knicks are 15-2 when OG is on the court. All things considered, this puts the Knicks in a difficult situation for the impending Anunoby contract talks.
Unfortunately, it’s taking longer than expected to get him to suit up. The situation is not clear-cut. Leon Rose and the Knicks Front Office made a significant exchange with each other. An era came to an end with the trade of fan favorite draft picks RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, who brought with them a win-now mindset. When OG plays, the Knicks are, in fact, 15-2. Regretfully, there’s no guarantee on his availability or health. Due to the impending Anunoby contract discussions, the Knicks find themselves in a difficult situation. I fully believe that availability is the best ability. Consequently, OG becomes more of a liability than a need.
Knicks in a difficult situation due to the impending OG Anunoby contract
OG will be a free agent in 2025 after exercising his player option in June of this year. It is conceivable that he will demand an extension and decide to back out of the agreement. In order to get him, Leon Rose took a big gamble by giving up Barrett and Quickley. In addition, it seems quite likely that OG will receive an extension given his connections to CAA, an agency Rose formerly worked for. At the time of the transaction he would be extended, very likely a handshake agreement had already been signed. These elements add to the difficulty of the Knicks’ decision.
His goal in the remaining games of the season is to strengthen his elbow in time for the postseason. Long term, though, I would be very cautious about giving him any more contract extensions without include team options in a multi-year agreement.
His goal in the remaining games of the season is to strengthen his elbow in time for the postseason. Long term, though, I would be very cautious about giving him any more contract extensions without include team options in a multi-year agreement.
Toronto’s Long History of Injury for OG
OG’s lengthy history of injuries was well-known in Toronto, and the Knicks have definitely inherited this issue. Anunoby missed slightly less than 35% of all Raptors games before to this season. He has missed far more than 56% of the Knicks games this season. For a player so young, that is an incredibly high number.
His medical history resembles a prescription pad used by a doctor for surgery. Initially, ripped ACL throughout college. After having an appendectomy, he missed the 2019 Raptors Championship run due to an infection. Following that, he missed at least 51 games due to a variety of muscle sprains, specifically calf, ankle, and wrist sprains. Since 2021, Anunoby has also experienced numerous hand and finger injuries in addition to an eye injury.
Even for a player that is only 26 years old, this is an impressive list. The Knicks must exercise extreme caution because if he is experiencing these conditions during his peak, they will only worsen with age.
Furthermore, when OG missed a month of 2022 because of a finger injury as they were attempting to qualify for the playoffs, former Raptors coach Nick Nurse occasionally didn’t disguise his frustration from the media. It’s generally accepted that OG would prefer to play at 80 or 90% than to play at all. Multiple sources in Toronto were reported by Knicks insider Stefon Bondy as saying that he was “uncomfortable” playing through pain.
The Impact of OG as a Knick
To their credit, the Knicks acquired the ideal player to bolster their team through a trade. For years, he has been all they have needed. Being one of the league’s greatest defenders, he is long and athletic. He is a three-year starter for the NBA and an assassin from the corner position. He is the quintessential 3-and-D wing, shooting 38% from three. He closes the door on any opponent on the other end and sets up the floor for All-Star Jalen Brunson. His influence is noteworthy. When he’s on the floor, this team is as near to perfect as it gets. His play, along with that of Josh Hart and Isaiah Hartenstein, is a major factor in the Knicks defense ranking in the top ten.
StatMuse reports that OG has a plus-minus of +297 while playing with the Knicks. In the 17 games that a new franchise has played, this is the biggest impact in NBA history. It’s unbelievable that New York is 297 points better off with OG in the starting lineup. Although OG’s value to the Knicks is undeniable, the team’s injury history makes Anunoby’s deal a difficult situation for them.
What Contractual Measures Should the Knicks Take?
According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, OG is expected to sign a deal that “far exceeds” the $118 million, four-year contract he would have been qualified for in Toronto. Long-term, this has to give the Knicks serious pause. Before being forced to extend him, Toronto wanted to put him behind them.
A estimated annual salary of more than $30 million seems excessive given the lengthy history of injuries. In addition, the Knicks are in a difficult situation since they don’t want to lose him for nothing after trading away Quickley and Barrett’s relative durability.
Conversely, as was already said, his impact in a short period of time has been monumental. I would extend him if I were the front office of the Knicks. The condition is that the AAV cannot be more than $30 million, and after the first two years of the agreement, there is a team option. This would be covered by the Knicks’ contract as a safeguard.
The rationale is that his contract wouldn’t be an albatross if he continued to miss half the games, allowing them to opt out after two years.
They are unable to give him a blank check given his history of injuries. Furthermore, given how great and vital he is on the wing, they cannot let him go for free. In the end, the Knicks face a great deal of difficulty because of Anunoby’s impending contract. placing them in a highly advantageous negotiating position.