OG Anunoby’s value rises amid Knicks interest in four-time All-NBA defensive wing

The New York Knicks remain the favorites in the OG Anunoby sweepstakes, but according to Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto, the price is no longer what they originally thought they would need to win.

Yesterday’s price is not today’s price, as Anunoby’s value has increased amid the Knicks’ reported interest in Paul George if he and the Los Angeles Clippers cannot agree on a new contract.

“George’s interest came at a strange time after the Knicks signed the striker OG Anunoby during early free agent discussions about a possible new contract, as Brian Windhorst first reported and league sources confirmed to HoopsHype.

When the Knicks signed Anunoby, they believed he would get a contract in the range of $30 million to $35 million per year, league sources told HoopsHype. Now, however, that value has increased, starting at $35 million annually up to his maximum starting salary for next season, sources said,” Scotto wrote on June 24.

On June 23, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Knicks were a potential destination for George, who is a nine-time NBA All-Star, six-time All-NBA and four-time NBA All-Defensive player.

“Another trusted source advised me to keep the Knicks on the list as a possible suitor for George if the All-NBA swingman does indeed opt into the final season of his current $48.8 million contract. This move would put George in a position to pursue a trade to another team,” Stein wrote in his Substack newsletter.

Despite Anunoby’s high price and amid the George trade rumor, the Knicks are still determined to bring Anunoby back and remain the favorite among rival executives, Scotto said.

OG Anunoby “not thrilled” with Knicks’ first offer

Anunoby was “not thrilled” with the Knicks’ first offer, Windhorst reported on June 18 in “Get Up.”

“Most people believe Anunoby will stay in New York, but there are signs he wants to test the market because he is not thrilled with the Knicks’ offer,” Windhorst said.

Anunoby has the edge because the Knicks don’t have enough cap space to replace him if he leaves while the Philadelphia 76ers wait for him. It would also be a bad look for their front office if it turns out that Anunoby is only being loaned for half a season after they traded away former No. 3 pick RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a second-round pick.

The Knicks were a much better team with Anunoby on both ends. Their 26-6 record (including the playoffs) with Anunoby speaks for itself.

The Knicks’ interest in Paul George goes back to last year

The Knicks were interested in George before they even signed Anunoby in December of last year.

During the last offseason, the Knicks considered a possible transfer of George and engaged the Clippers in a dialogue that remained fruitless.

“The Knicks and Clippers originally had trade talks for Paul George at the NBA Draft. At the time, New York considered a package that included Obi Toppin, Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier and three first-round picks in exchange for George, league sources told HoopsHype. Toppin was then traded to the Pacers for two second-round picks, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported.

After that, RJ Barrett’s name was briefly mentioned in the Clippers’ trade talks instead of Toppin, league sources told HoopsHype. However, the price of parting with Barrett, Grimes and three first-round picks and then having to negotiate a long-term extension for the 33-year-old George was too high for the Knicks,” Hoopshype’s Michael Scotto wrote on July 6, 2023.

With all of those players gone, the Knicks will have to use Bojan Bogdanovic’s $19 million salary and then add one or two more players to their salary adjustment if George becomes available via opt-in and trade.