According to The Athletic’s Tim Cato, at least one NBA agent believes that New York Knicks forward O.G. Anunoby’s next contract could be worth $150 million over four years.
4/150 feels reasonable to me, but it may have to be more. depends on how aggressively OG uses his leverage. just asked an agent, he agrees that 4/150 would be the floor if it were his client.
— tim cato (@tim_cato) April 1, 2024
An NBA executive recently indicated that Anunoby will attempt to “break the bank” in a contract extension with the Knicks.
“He will try to break the bank there,” the exec told Heavy Sports. “Why not? They can’t afford to lose him. Not a max deal or anything, but I think from his side, it is going to look more like $40 million per year, something like four years and $160 million.”
After spending the first six-plus seasons of his NBA career with the Toronto Raptors, he was dealt to the Knicks back in December in exchange for RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and a second-round draft pick.
Though Anunoby has been limited to just 17 games since joining the Knicks, he has been very productive when on the floor, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. He is averaging 14.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.1 blocks per game with his new team.
It has been more than a fortnight since Anunoby has been on the floor with his teammates, considering he hasn’t played since appearing in New York’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings on March 16. Anunoby finished the game with just two points on 1-of-8 shooting from the field and 0-of-4 from deep while also chipping in six rebounds, two assists, one steal and three blocks.
Despite riding a two-game losing streak, the Knicks have played well without arguably their best defensive player in the lineup, evidenced by the team’s 7-3 record over its past 10 contests.
New York is currently just a half game back of the Cleveland Cavaliers — who haven’t played winning basketball lately — for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks are also trailing the Milwaukee Bucks — the No. 2 seed in the conference — by three games.
The team will take on another one of the better squads in the Eastern Conference in the Miami Heat on Tuesday night. The Heat have won two games in a row, with their last loss coming at the hands of the Golden State Warriors on March 26.
Since falling to the Warriors, the Heat have beaten the Portland Trail Blazers and Washington Wizards.
