OG Anunoby could test free agency and consider contracts with 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 that there is some belief within the league that Anunoby, who has a player option for the 2024-25 campaign, “could move up to unrestricted free agency and consider deals with other franchises besides New.” York.”

Fischer compared Anunoby to another player who was traded by the Toronto Raptors this season and noted that Pascal Siakam is more expected to re-sign with the Indiana Pacers than with Anunoby and the Knicks.

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

And the forward is fitting in well with the Knicks, 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 in those contests as a two-way player who impacted the game on both ends of the court.

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

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

The Knicks still carried the Pacers to seven games and could have won the series if Anunoby had stayed healthy considering they took a 2-0 lead when he was able to play in the first two games.

There remains one piece of unfinished work, which could, in theory, motivate both sides to reach a long-term deal this offseason.

Still, it appears Anunoby will at least consider his options elsewhere.