Knicks: Starting price for impending free-agent star forward could reach $35 million

The New York Knicks have prioritized re-signing F OG Anunoby this offseason. After trading away fan favorites RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to acquire the 26-year-old, New York may have to go the extra mile in order to bring back the sought-after forward.

OG Anunoby was the perfect fit for the Knicks in the aftermath of the trade

Anunoby was traded to the Knicks from the Toronto Raptors last December, and immediately was a perfect fit for the team. In the immediate aftermath of the trade, the Knicks pulled off impressive wins against numerous title contenders, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, and Miami Heat.

New York held an impressive 20-3 record in the 23 regular season games Anunoby appeared in. With him on the floor, the Knicks scored 122.6 points per 100 possessions (higher than the league-leading Celtics) and allowed just 100.9 points per 100 possessions (lower than the league-leading Timberwolves) to the tune of a +21.9 net rating.

Anunoby’s impact boosted his market value across the league

This massive impact Anunoby had on the Knicks is the reason his free agency price will be awfully lucrative. When the trade first occurred, it was believed he would re-sign for $30-35 million annually. Now, that value has gone up, starting at $35 million annually and potentially reaching his maximum offer of $40 million annually.

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The biggest concern with Anunoby is his health factor

The major concern with Anunoby comes with his extensive injury history. The 26-year-old has battled various injuries throughout his career, and that trend continued with the Knicks. Last season, in time spent with both Toronto and New York, Anunoby missed 32 games.

In the postseason, Anunoby injured his hamstring in Game 3 against the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, knocking him out until Game 7 of the series, where he played just the first five minutes before subbing out and not returning. The Knicks would lose Game 7 by a score of 130-109 to officially end their season.

Early in the offseason, Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported that Anunoby was “not thrilled” with the Knicks’ initial offer, and would test the free agent market. Despite this, the general feeling amongst league executives is that the Knicks still remain the favorites to re-sign Anunoby.