By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
OG Anunoby’s fate in this year’s NBA off-season was finally determined after the New York Knicks lured him to a five-year $212.5 million contract extension confirmed on June 27, 2024.
Several days ago, Anunoby put the New York front office through the grinder after initially opting to explore the free agency market.
However, a day after the Knicks signed versatile small forward Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets, Anunoby and his camp then agreed to stay with the franchise for five more years.
According to ESPN’s veteran NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Anunoby’s contract will include a player option and a trade kicker clause.
Anunoby’s immediate impact with the Knicks became a huge reason why they reached the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals despite being hobbled for most of the regular season.
The two-way small forward missed almost two months of New York’s regular season campaign after suffering a loose bone fragment in his right elbow.
After undergoing surgery, Anunoby then re-joined New York at the most perfect time of the playoffs when they faced Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round.
It was as if Anunoby wasn’t hurt and was a monster in their series against the 76ers, averaging 15.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 0.7 steals in all six games.
Unfortunately, Anunoby only played three games in the semifinals against the Indiana Pacers due to an aggravated hamstring injury.
Nonetheless, it was still a great run for the Knicks after reaching the semifinals despite not having their superstar power forward Julius Randle who was ruled out of the season due to an operation in his right shoulder.
